SHADOW'S KNIFE Original Painting / By Noush Kadian

Artist Noush Kadian explores ancestral wisdom, generational trauma, womanhood and divinity in this work.

With poetry she gives voice to her artwork.

I carry a knife in my hand.

It belonged to my great grandmother,

and as I grew, it became mine.

"You will need it" she said.

I never believed in the threat of the illusive enemy

but I held the knife anyway.

I sang her songs, acted in her plays and painted her mountains, heavy knife in hand.

It proved usefull at times

to sculp and create

to saw and build

to cut and eat

Then on my birthday,

my wrist was clenched by a strangers' shadow

And he guided the blade down my arm

I bled red, blue and orange

"Suicide" he told the others

That's not true!

That's not true!

That's not true!

They choose not to hear me,

and instead slide their hands in oil drenched pockets.

I carry my great-grandmothers' knife and I now carry her wounds.

"Why did you give me this knife!" I yelled.

"You will need it" she said.

For as long as there is the shadow, I will need the knife.

TITLE: SHADOW'S KNIFE

ARTIST: Noush Kadian

Medium: Acrylic and gold leaf on stretched canvas

Dimensions: 20" x 30"

Not framed

Authenticity certificate signed by artist

Worldwide shipping is possible