Projects — Paintings by Sheida Heravi

Rhinoceros

A continuing project, begun in 2021, that follows a single figure, the rhinoceros, through two parallel languages. In large acrylic canvases the animal is placed inside surreal, decaying landscapes; in the Persian miniature series it began by adapting historical compositions and gradually arrived at designs that are entirely my own.

Across both, the rhinoceros is at once witness, refugee, and a quiet emblem of endurance.

Years
Since 2021 — ongoing
Media
Acrylic & Persian miniature

Acrylic on canvas

Endurance — acrylic painting of baby rhinos balanced on a stack of stones atop a sleeping rhino
Endurance Acrylic on canvas 120 × 80 cm 2025
Burden — acrylic painting of three rhinos stacked and sleeping in a green field
Burden Acrylic on canvas 80 × 80 cm 2025
Stronghold — acrylic painting of a rhino resting atop a ruined stone structure
Stronghold Acrylic on canvas 110 × 80 cm 2024
Scape — acrylic painting of two rhinos running along a cracked grey road
Scape Acrylic on canvas 40 × 60 cm 2024
Isolation — acrylic painting of a pale rhino calf lying in a dark band of ground
Isolation Acrylic on canvas 60 × 60 cm 2023
Untitled — acrylic painting of a rhino within golden ruined walls
Untitled Acrylic on canvas 50 × 70 cm 2021

Persian miniature

Untitled — Persian miniature of a rhino balanced on a rifle, with gold rhino outlines
Untitled Ink and gold gouache on paper 14 × 13 cm 2025
Untitled — Persian miniature of a rhino hanging from a rope over a barren landscape
Untitled Ink and gold gouache on paper 16 × 24 cm 2025
Untitled — Persian miniature of two rhinos behind a brick wall with gold-tipped horns
Untitled Ink and gold gouache on paper 12 × 7 cm 2025
Untitled — Persian miniature of a rhino lying down with gold-tipped horns
Untitled Ink and gold gouache on paper 10 × 8 cm 2025
Untitled — Persian miniature of young rhinos gathered around fragments of gold horn
Untitled Ink and gold gouache on paper 14 × 8 cm 2025
Waq-Waq Tree — Persian miniature of a rhinoceros from which a tree of rhino heads grows
Waq-Waq Tree Ink and gold gouache on paper 16 × 24 cm 2024
Untitled — Persian miniature of a rhino-headed figure in robes receiving a dove with an olive branch
Untitled Ink and gold gouache on paper 16 × 22 cm 2024
Untitled — Persian miniature of two rhino-headed figures facing each other beneath a rifle
Untitled Ink and gold gouache on paper 26 × 20 cm 2024
Witness — Persian miniature of a crescent-horned figure leading a small rhino on a leash
Witness Ink and gold gouache on paper 16 × 16 cm 2024
Darvish
Darvish Ink and gold gouache on paper 22 × 14 cm 2023
Heaven
Heaven Gouache on cardboard 20 × 22 cm 2022
The Last Rhino
The Last Rhino Ink and gold gouache on paper 25 × 14 cm 2021

Good & Evil

A series of acrylic paintings exploring the symbolism of good and evil found in Persian illustrated manuscripts, set against landscapes of decay.

Year
2023
Medium
Acrylic on cardboard

Acrylic on cardboard

Untitled — four figures stand before ancient mud-brick ruins in a barren landscape
Untitled Acrylic on cardboard 70 × 50 cm 2023
Untitled
Untitled Acrylic on cardboard 25 × 45 cm 2023
Untitled
Untitled Acrylic on cardboard 70 × 50 cm 2023
Untitled
Untitled Acrylic on cardboard 35 × 25 cm 2023
Untitled
Untitled Acrylic on cardboard 80 × 60 cm 2023