Restrain
#009
Rising She The Series
Restrain captures a moment of unspoken communication between silent figures, painted in platinum-like tones that reflect the surrounding environment. The reflective surface symbolizes the myriad of external influences—events, emotions, and circumstances—that shape and reflect their shared existence.
Her hand delicately holds his with two fingers—the ring finger and the pinky—suggesting a fragile yet hopeful connection. His hand, bearing the subtle absence of will, offers only one finger in return, his posture marked by restraint and detachment, introducing a layer of ambiguity, a subliminal whisper of unspoken truths or silent deceit. The gesture is simple, yet profound, juxtaposing her yearning for deeper intimacy against his emotional distance.
This amplifies the tension between presence and absence, connection and withdrawal, truth and pretense.
Restrain is a poignant metaphor for the complexities of relationships, capturing the delicate interplay of desire, vulnerability, and the weight of unfulfilled promises. Through its minimalist yet evocative composition, the painting invites the viewer to reflect on the invisible dynamics that bind and separate us.
Restrain is a poignant metaphor for the complexities of relationships, capturing the delicate interplay of desire, vulnerability, and the weight of unfulfilled promises. Through its minimalist yet evocative composition, the painting invites the viewer to reflect on the invisible dynamics that bind and separate us.
ON SALE
Title: Restrain
ID: 009
Series: Rising She
Artist: Dorian Sărmășan (SDO)
Original Artwork: Yes
Certificate of Authenticity: Included
Size: 1 x 1 m (39.4 x 39.4 inches)
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Technique: Brush
Year of Creation: 2024
Meet the Artist
Dorian Sarmasan
Dorian Sarmasan is an emerging painter, designer, and creative director whose work blends creativity with conceptual depth.
As a graduate of the Mastering Design Thinking program at MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dorian brings a unique, interdisciplinary approach to his art, merging design, human centered innovation, and visual storytelling.
Dorian Sarmasan is an emerging painter, designer, and creative director whose work blends creativity with conceptual depth. As a graduate of the Mastering Design Thinking program at MIT, Dorian brings a unique, interdisciplinary approach to his art, merging design, human centered innovation, and visual storytelling.
On Display in March 8, 2025
Featured Work
Silence #010
1×1 m, oil on canvas
Restrain #009
1×1 m, oil on canvas
Resilience #008
1×1 m, oil on canvas
Solace #001
1×1 m, oil on canvas
Untamed #004
1×1 m, oil on canvas
Betrayal #006
1×1 m, oil on canvas
Loyalty #003
1×1 m, oil on canvas
Balance #011
1×1 m, oil on canvas
Stillness #005
1×1 m, oil on canvas
Confidence #002
1×1 m, oil on canvas
Afterglow #007
1×1 m, oil on canvas
Unbound #012
1×1 m, oil on canvas
Rising She: Embodying Resilience
Rising She is a celebration of the modern woman—her resilience, transformation, and unparalleled complexity. The series delves into the intricate layers of femininity, each painting symbolizing the multifaceted roles and emotions that define contemporary female identity. These layers mirror the depth and intricacy of today’s women, whose lives are far more complex than those of women a century or even a few decades ago.
Through symbolic and minimalist lines and shapes, Dorian’s works contrast past limitations with the evolving, diverse identities of the present, inviting viewers to reflect on the beauty, strength, and ever-changing essence of femininity. Each piece becomes a journey through these layered narratives, symbolizing different attributes or emotions of a woman, capturing the profound transformation of the evolving self across time.
By incorporating roses and ropes in select works, this series delves into the dualities of femininity—beauty and pain, freedom and constraint, love and loss. The roses, with their delicate petals and sharp thorns, embody the intricate balance between allure and sacrifice, a testament to the silent struggles endured by women throughout history. The ropes, on the other hand, speak of societal and personal limitations—ties that bind, restrict, or even protect, reflecting the tension between individuality and external expectations.
Together, these elements weave a poignant narrative of resilience and vulnerability, inviting the viewer to explore the complex layers of contemporary womanhood. Each painting becomes a space where fragility and strength find their voice, inviting us to reflect on the boundaries of freedom and the resilience required to transcend them.