Humorously reminiscent of Eric Fischl’s paintings of nudes on beaches, Haerizadeh’s portrayal of life on the Iranian seaside falls woefully short of good-fun naturalism. Rendered as a diptych, Shomal (Beach At The Caspian) highlights the inequalities of the sexes, comically exaggerating the inadequacies of dress code. As the men frolic alfresco in the surf and sun, the women stroll lazily in full overcoats or continue their domestic duties serving picnics in black burkas.
Haerizadeh executes this scene with the leisure of daydream, his fluid gestures and frothy brush marks capturing the sun-bleached languor of holiday idle.