In this work from the series 'Sar Ba Kaff' (Head in Hands), the angular composition fills the space with pointed elbows and knees. This work was inspired by Sadequain’s fascination with the lives of transgressive Sufis, in particular Sarmad, an enigmatic seventeenth century figure associated with the Mughal prince Dara Shikoh. Following Dara Shikoh’s defeat to Aurangzeb, Sarmad was executed by the new ruler on a charge of heresy. Upon his beheading in 1661 Sarmad’s unearthly spiritual powers came to light when his headless body began walking, carrying his severed head in its hands.

Here Sadequain depicts himself also wearing a crown of thorns, the Artist as a martyr to his craft.