“Amir H. Fallah: The Collected”. Installation view. Courtesy Gallery Wendi Norris and the artist.

In his current show of portraits at Gallery Wendi Norris, Amir H. Fallah expands on the idea that we are heavily defined by the possessions with which we surround ourselves.  Our lives are continually filled with items that help identify ourselves and bring ownership and meaning into our daily routine.  From functional objects that dictate our relationship with our surrounds and non-functional objects that are a response to our experiences from the past that we bring into the future.

“The Laws of Order” 2012. Courtesy Gallery Wendi Norri and the artist.

“Warrior of the Golden State” 2012. Courtesy Gallery Wendi Norri and the artist

With his signature brightly-colored, playful style, Fallah gives the traditional patron/artist relationship a contemporary twist by shrouding the subjects of his portraits in patterned cloth and selecting the included objects himself, in effect painting his impression of the person based on a tour of their stuff.  The results are intricate, iconic paintings that left me wondering what my own possessions say about me.

“Amir H. Fallah: The Collected” is on view at Gallery Wendi Norris through April 27th. For For more information visit here.

-Contributed by Kelly Inouye