The “Standing on the Poetry of Light” collection is the result of a seven-year period of consistent painting by Sam Nejati. The essence of these works is rooted in a poetic approach to light.

The earliest paintings from this seven-year period, created in Philadelphia and inspired by the light of that specific geographical region, were characterized by intense and free brushstrokes. Gradually, with the artist’s return to Iran and his settling in Gilan, the paintings transformed into flat, misty spaces rendered with airbrush techniques. This transformation—an exemplary case of technique as concept—stands out as one of the most thought-provoking aspects of Nejati’s work.

Nejati’s focus is on evoking the essence of presence. He employs everyday moments as a medium for transcendence—one that portrays a sacred atmosphere while simultaneously reflecting the human spirit.

A deeper look into these paintings suggests an attempt to distill the essence of life, to bring its spiritual components to radiance, and ultimately, to engage with themes of permanence and eternity. The painter strives to create a still moment—standing between time and timelessness—while seeking to bring forth images that can fully extend themselves across the fabric of time; images that linger in the viewer’s mind even after they have looked away from the canvas.

Nima Zaghian 
March, 2025