Artwork by Milad Yousufi

Milad Yousufi

Original artwork for sale through Music Worcester

One of the great disappointments of pandemic-related cancellations from the 2019-2020 Concert Seasons was the loss of composer, artist, and Mannes School of Music graduate Milad Yousufi’s performance and art exhibition at Temple Emanuel Sinai and the Worcester Jewish Community Center, previously scheduled for March 2020. 

Milad’s original artwork can still be purchased through Music Worcester. Please view and read about each painting via the dropdowns below, and click here to make an online purchase of one or more paintings.

All Paintings may be picked up from our office at 319 Main St, Worcester, MA following purchase at no additional charge.

All paintings can be shipped but are subject to shipping and handling fees, arranged on a case-by-case basis.

Please email ethan@musicworcester.org with any questions about ordering a painting with shipping requirements.

 

Silent Death

Silent Death is inspired by the hard times that Afghanistan went through in 2019, when I lost some of my best friends to violence there. I wanted to show depression and anxiety in my painting, while holding onto hope. The depression side of the painting shows a skeleton without teeth, which represents Silent Death. The Hebrew verses are taken from the traditional Jewish Siddur and are translated “Bring cure and healing for all our illnesses, all our sufferings, and all our ailments, the faithful and compassionate Healer,” Similarly, the Arabic verses reference the Quran “Every soul shall have a taste of death” (Surah 3: Verse 185). Down the left side is an abstract presentation of a Persian proverb that says that there is hope and ease after every hardship.

Dimensions: 42” x 32” Price: $150

Thought

Thought is inspired by my own life and thoughts. The abstract whirling dervish expresses the inner state of a refugee, whirling through the world, unmoored, away from family, home and country and wandering to an unknown destination, while the abstract calligraphy refers to the refugee’s hopes of peace, love and generosity carried on the journey.

Dimensions: 33” x 25” Price: $380

Willow

Willow is inspired by my encounter with Jewish culture and people, which began with Fiddler on the Roof. This has continued through my current collaboration with Jewish organizations (such as DOROT in Manhattan, where I played 4 concerts for seniors, including Holocaust survivors) and my relationships with Jewish host families, mentors and others who have been so very supportive and helpful to me. Light and clarity shine from the white sun in the background, surrounding the rich mixture of Hebrew and colors that expresses the vitality and richness of Jewish culture as I have encountered it.

Dimensions: 40” x 30” Price: $180

Aylan

Aylan was a 3 year old Syrian refugee who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea while attempting to migrate to Europe. I also wrote and dedicated a poem (below) and a musical composition for Aylan which premiered at the Juilliard School of Music in February 2020.

Dimensions: 36” x 30” Price: $180

“My Dear Soul,
You may rest in peace my dear soul
This mortal world doesn’t care anymore
They hurt you with their words like snake
And give you cup of poison to take
You may rest in peace my dear soul
This mortal world doesn’t care anymore

I wonder from door to door
With burning heart and wounded soul
What I ask for is not the world
But a warm smile and love for sure

This mortal world doesn’t care anymore
You may rest in peace my dear soul
You may rest in peace my dear soul

This mortal world doesn’t care anymore
This mortal world doesn’t care anymore”

Dervish

Dervish was inspired by the Kol Nidre service I attended with my host family in Brooklyn. I was very moved that they spoke so passionately about humanity and human rights. This whirling dervish was the result, filled with Hebrew letters and representing love, patience and generosity.

Dimensions: 36” x 30” Price: $200

Family

Family is inspired by memories of my family – some who have already left this life and some who are now refugees in other countries. I have spent a great deal of time on this work, which combines features from four family members and carries a great deal of emotion for me.

Dimensions: 36” x 28” Price: $1000

Refugee

Refugee is a self-portrait from 2017 where I poured out my own pain and that of refugees all over the world. The text in the background is by Rumi (below).

Dimensions: 36” x 24” Price: $180

“Who knows, and knows that he knows,
Makes the horse of intelligence jump over the vault of heaven.

Who does not know, yet knows he does not know,
Can nevertheless bring his lame little donkey to its destination.

Who does not know, and does not know that he does not know,
Remains mired forever in double ignorance.”

The Honesty Verse (Surah Ikhlas)

The Honesty Verse (Surah Ikhlas) chapter 112. 4 verses, is a verse from Quran written in Arabic calligraphy style (Naghashi-Khat). The term Naghashi-Khat (Painting-Calligraphy) describes a type of writing with coloring which usually uses the traditional techniques of calligraphy in Iran, which are derived from the prehistoric samples of painting-calligraphy from the Qajar era. Naghashi-Khat is an emerging art form in the Middle east which has been embraced warmly by many people. It seems to be the fastest growing art form in the middle-east and south Asia.
Say, “He is God, the One. God, the Absolute. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is nothing comparable to Him.

Dimensions: 36” x 24” Price: $200

Memories

Memories is about my experience of how depression and anxiety can mask light and hope. The flower in the background – one that I remember from Afghanistan—feels to me like peace, love, humanity and ease. This is clouded by the words in white – so many anxious thoughts and memories, including my father’s last sentence. This is my faith and my message to all refugees: you can find hope and light after every calamity and hardship, no matter how great.

Dimensions: 30” x 30” Price: $300

Garden of Words

Garden of Words emerged from my synesthesia. I composed a musical piece called “To my Father.” When I heard it, I saw dark green colors, with sparkles of light green reflecting the shimmering high notes in the piece. The calligraphy in the painting says: “Your fragrance is in the air, are you coming or already gone?” This beautiful quote is from Alireza Roshan, one of the most wonderful contemporary Iranian poet and writer.

Dimensions: 40” x 30” Price: $180

Sky Poem

Sky Poem My room in Kabul had a window that faced this beautiful mountain range in the distance. I loved to sit and watch the sunset from there. Sky Poem is inspired by that sunset in my hometown. In the sky is a Persian poem by Saadi Shirazi (below).

Dimensions: 24” x 20” Price: $180

In my last breaths I will desire you,
with this wish I will give my life to become ashes beneath your feet

On judgement day when I raise my hear from the dust,
I will wake up talking about you and will be searching for you

In that gathering that witnesses of both worlds come together,
my gaze will be on you and I will be a slave in the lock of your hair

The Truth

This phrase, called the Shahada or Muslim creed, is our declaration of belief in the oneness of God and in Muhammad as His messenger. Recitation of the Shahada is considered one of the five pillars of Islam by Muslims. I wrote this phrase in an Arabic style called Nasq, which is one of the specific styles of calligraphy used in the Holy Quran.

Dimensions: 30” x 19” Price: $120

Milad Yousufi