Stillness
#005
Rising She The Series

Stillness captures a moment of profound restraint, where the silence of the subject reflects both internal and external forces at play. She‘s exposed, vulnerable neck and lack of facial expression evoke a sense of surrender, yet there is an underlying tension.
The rope wrapped tightly around her eyes symbolizes the societal constraints that once blinded women to their potential, stifling their ability to see, understand, and express themselves freely. The rope, stretched under tension, suggests an invisible hand that binds her, limiting her perspective and potential.
This powerful imagery draws a stark contrast between She of today and the one of the past—just a century ago, and even as recently as 20 or 30 years ago, She was often confined to narrow roles, restricted in her aspirations and desires.
Stillness becomes a meditation on the progress of She in modern society, where the constraints of the past have loosened, and the freedom to express oneself has expanded. The painting invites us to reflect on how far the contemporary She has come and the stillness that sometimes accompanies the weight of these past limitations.

Stillness becomes a meditation on the progress of She in modern society, where the constraints of the past have loosened, and the freedom to express oneself has expanded. The painting invites us to reflect on how far the contemporary She has come and the stillness that sometimes accompanies the weight of these past limitations.
SOLD
Title: Stillness
ID: 005
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 & Knife
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
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.