Grief, Healing, and Persian Art | Chicago News

Artist Ziba Rajabi’s hauntingly beautiful exhibition “Belly Laugh at a Funeral” at the Minneapolis Institute of Art transforms grief into a space of healing, using luminous textiles and tempera paintings rooted in Persian traditions. Drawing from ancient literature and local trauma—COVID-19 and George Floyd’s death—Rajabi weaves symbols like tulips (memory, rebirth) and skulls (death) into her work, including pieces like “Tulip and the Ambassador” and “Return of Hope,” where lilies bloom with skulls to show life’s persistence. Her immersive installation “Kotal” invites visitors to lie down beneath mourning flags and mirrors as music washes over them, encouraging release. A companion book explores her research, including the legendary lament for Siyâvash. On view until October 25, this is art that doesn’t just mourn—it renews. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/aac1115e0dce6151