Original Composition
by Saman Keyvanpour
"Sometimes, the deepest scars belong to those who chose love over fear."
About the Artwork
“The White Hen and the Snake” is a dramatic figurative oil painting centred on a sudden confrontation in the darkness of a forest. The luminous white plumage of the hen stands in stark contrast to the coiling black serpent, while scattered feathers, disturbed earth, and outstretched wings intensify the sense of movement and danger. Rooted in an Iranian folk narrative, the work transforms a seemingly simple encounter in nature into a powerful visual allegory.
Artist Notes
The White Hen and the Snake builds its dramatic tension through a highly detailed figurative composition, contrasting the luminous white plumage of the hen with the dark, coiling body of the snake. Expressive brushwork, scattered feathers, disturbed earth, and the hen’s fully extended wings transform the forest floor into a stage of sudden movement, fear, and resistance. Inspired by an ancient Iranian folk narrative, the painting tells the story of a lone hen forced to confront a deadly snake in order to protect herself and her nest. She survives the encounter not because she is fearless, but because, when threatened, she chooses to fight. Yet when she returns to the village, the other hens and roosters do not celebrate her courage; instead, they accuse her of having been poisoned by the snake and cast her out. The survivor thus becomes an outsider, condemned not for weakness, but for having faced a danger the others have never encountered. Convinced of their own safety, the flock continues its ordinary life while distancing itself from the one who tried to warn them. Eventually, the snake reaches them too—but unlike the rejected hen, they have never learned how to confront it and become its prey. Beneath its folkloric imagery, the work reflects on fear, exclusion, collective denial, and the human tendency to stigmatise those who have survived what others refuse to acknowledge. The White Hen and the Snake ultimately asks a timeless question: when danger approaches, do we reject the one who has faced it—or learn from the courage that allowed them to survive?
Artistic Language
Themes
Provenance, certificate references, and private viewing context are prepared for this artwork through the studio record.
Artwork reference: FAS-SK-2026-001
Certificate reference: COA-FAS-001
Detail Gallery
Studio Film
Studio Film
Cinematic Interpretation
Lyrics
Verse 1 In the shadows of the pine trees, A white hen sang to the breeze. Guarding dreams beneath her wings, While the dark snake watched unseen. Pre-Chorus She bled for love, she fought alone, For fragile hearts not yet grown. Chorus Oh, don't fear the scars I wear, They're the proof that I still care. When the night comes crawling near, Love is stronger than our fear. Turn me not from your gate tonight, I've been fighting for the light. Verse 2 She came wounded to the town, Feathers torn and colors drowned. But the roosters turned away, Calling her a curse that day. Bridge And the snake kept winding through the dark, Patient as a dying spark. Those who never saw the storm, Thought their walls would keep them warm. Final Chorus Oh, don't fear the scars I wear, They're the proof that I still care. For the ones who closed the door, I would fight a thousand more. For when darkness takes its claim, Love and courage still remain. Outro In the forest, soft and deep, The white hen sings where memories sleep. And every heart that hears her cry, Learns why the brave are left to die.
Living Artwork
A quiet second layer, never the main event. The parallel musical score was developed in lockstep with the dramatic tension of the brushwork, translating the chaotic friction of scattered feathers and the coiling momentum of the serpent into a deep, atmospheric soundscape. Layered with natural forest acoustics and low-frequency drones, the audio serves as an emotional threshold. It slows down the viewer's breath, inviting them to step past the literal folklore and feel the heavy psychological pressure of isolation, collective denial, and unyielding survival vibrating within the canvas.
