"When the wind dies down, and the rain grows gentle" (Sarah Imani) Review by Janine Olshefski

 With modernism on the rise, it is hard to find art work that I feel a connection to and/or inspired by as a traditional artist. To keep up with the art world many galleries have been focusing their attention towards what is “popular” during these times. That is why when I stepped foot into the 

The exhibit, “When the wind dies down, and the rain grows gentle” by Sareh Imani, was especially eye-catching for me, not only because of Imani’s technical skills, but because of the reason why she draws what she draws. All of her drawings are rooted in observation during Imani’s routine walks through the forests of Upstate New York, where she resides. The materials she gathers are from various stages of the natural life cycle. In order to preserve these materials Imani produces replications of these organic forms with plaster to use for her still lifes. 

Her composition, scale and medium are all intentional. Her decision to use pastel allows her to be precise while the composition and scale of the pieces forces the viewer to take in the whole drawing by viewing natural elements in a new perspective. What I enjoy about not only the art but the artist is how Imani is able to find the beauty in things most of us would just pass by on the street or even step on going about our daily lives.