Heritage is a deeply personal exploration of cultural legacy, imperfection, and the transformative power of care. Created with acrylic, modeling paste, and gold leaf on canvas (120 x 73 cm), the work is inspired by the intricate craftsmanship of traditional Persian carpets—while intentionally disrupting that tradition to reflect erosion, loss, and the urgent need for conservation. At its core, Heritage centers on care—as both an artistic gesture and a cultural imperative. History leaves behind beauty, but also damage. Without care, our shared legacy risks fading. This piece pays tribute to the people and philosophies that nurture and restore heritage across borders and generations. The base composition features lush geometric and floral motifs drawn from Persian textiles, fused with patterns from the Indian subcontinent. This blend speaks to the interconnectedness of cultures and my own artistic language. Areas of distress interrupt the design, symbolizing the erosion that comes with time, conflict, or neglect. These wounds are not hidden, but healed through gold leaf—evoking kintsugi, the Japanese art of honoring breakage. Gold here becomes a metaphor for the reverent act of repair. The work is influenced by the Aga Khan Historic Cities Programme, whose global conservation efforts—from Humayun’s Tomb in India to Bagh-e Babur in Afghanistan—are acts of cultural stewardship. I embedded Arabic names of select sites along the borders, quietly honoring these stories of renewal. Spanning over 200 hours of creation, every stroke became a meditative act of repair. Heritage invites viewers to reflect on how we engage with the past—not just by admiring it, but by protecting and passing it on. In this work, the imperfect becomes beautiful, and the damaged becomes whole.