When I was younger, I used to see humanity as divided into two distinct parts: one material and one spiritual, often at odds with each other. Over time, I came to realize that life is not about black-and-white divisions. There is no such thing as purely material or purely spiritual—everything exists in shades of grey, some darker and some lighter.

In my work, these two parts still exist, but they are intertwined. Each section carries elements of the other, representing the complexity of human existence. In this particular piece, the word “love” is subtly inscribed in Farsi, blending into the form and becoming part of the whole, not immediately visible but always present—just like the balance between material and spiritual in our lives.

MAJID SHEIKH AKBARI

• Medium: Steel structure, cement surface, paint
• Size: 83 H x 34 W x 15 D inches
• Year: 2024