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Small World in the Hands of a Stranger: Original Artwork by Melina Ghaemi | VanArtHub

Oil on Canvas39.4 × 47.2 in2025One-of-a-kind original

A suspended cube within a deep wooden box reveals diverse scenes of introspection and mystery.

Regular price $3,500.00 CAD
Regular price Sale price $3,500.00 CAD
Sale Sold out
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Sold This is an original, one of a kind. It has found its collector and is no longer available.

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The story behind this piece

'Small World in the Hands of a Stranger' features a suspended cube inside a deep wooden box where each face reveals a different narrative. The central panel offers a serene lakeside view with small figures lost in thought, accompanied by a boat on calm waters and a solitary figure adding a contemplative aura to the scene. Other sides unfold stranger narratives with hybrid forms and fragmented gestures, inducing a sense of half-remembered stories. One face of the cube remains bare, offering a moment of pause amidst this visual complexity.



The artwork explores themes of surrealism and symbolism, inviting viewers to ponder the interplay of hidden forces shaping parallel lives. The various scenes play with perception and imagination, encouraging reflections on one's inner landscape and the psychological depths beneath everyday appearances.



Designed to resonate with collectors and introspective viewers, this piece invites a deeper exploration of unseen narratives and emotions. Its layered storytelling and mysterious atmosphere make it a thought-provoking addition to any fine art collection.



Artist: Melina Ghaemi Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 120 × 100 cm (approx. 47.2 × 39.4 inches) Year: 2025 Signature: Hand-signed by artist on lower left Collection: The Earth Is Not Round

Shipping, trial and returns

  • Free, fully insured shipping. Delivery takes 3 to 7 business days in Canada and 5 to 10 in the USA. Every piece is professionally packed and insured door to door.
  • 14-day free trial. Live with the painting for 14 days. If it is not right for your space, return it for a full refund and we pay the return shipping.
  • Certificate of Authenticity. A signed certificate ships with the artwork, confirming it is a one-of-a-kind original.
  • Lifetime Trade-Back. Your taste can change. Trade this piece back at any time for store credit toward another original.
  • Ships from Vancouver, Canada. Packed by the gallery and tracked all the way to your door.

Technical details

Size
39.4 × 47.2 in
Medium
Oil on Canvas
Subject
Narrative
Style
Surrealism
Artist
Melina Ghaemi
Year
2025
Edition
Original, one of a kind
Authenticity
Certificate of Authenticity included
View full details

About this artwork

Artwork Statement

This painting presents a complex, multi-layered composition, framed by what appears to be a wooden box or chest. The outer frame is a rich, dark brown with visible wood grain and two metallic, hinged clasps at the bottom, suggesting a closed container. Within this, a diamond-shaped opening reveals a series of interconnected, smaller scenes, each framed by thick, reddish-brown wooden beams. The central, largest scene depicts a serene landscape with a wide river or lake under a pale blue sky. Green trees line the banks, and a white sailboat glides on the water. Floating objects and distant, slender structures add a surreal touch. To the right, a segment shows abstract figures in white and red against a dark background. Below, a sandy, ochre-toned landscape unfolds with robed figures, some in black and red, others in white and pink, alongside abstract, organic shapes. The overall mood is one of enigmatic narrative and quiet contemplation, with a blend of naturalistic and fantastical elements. The colors range from earthy browns and greens to pale blues and vibrant reds, all contributing to a sense of depth and mystery.

Interior Design Use

This piece would serve as a compelling focal point in a study, library, or a sophisticated living room. Its intricate details and rich color palette would invite close inspection and spark conversation, adding an element of intellectual curiosity and artistic depth to the space.

Technical Details

  • Artist: Melina Ghaemi
  • Medium: Oil on Canvas
  • Size: 39.4 x 47.2 in (100 x 120 cm)
  • Year: 2025
  • Type: One-of-a-kind original
  • Certificate of Authenticity: Included

Questions about this painting

How big is Small World in the Hands of a Stranger, and what size wall does it suit?
Small World in the Hands of a Stranger by Melina Ghaemi measures 39.4 by 47.2 inches (100 by 120 cm), so it is portrait, taller than it is wide. VanArtHub suggests hanging it over a wall space or piece of furniture at least 59 inches wide, which keeps the painting at roughly two thirds of the width below it. Measure your wall before you order, and remember the 14-day trial covers you if the scale is not right in the room.
Is Small World in the Hands of a Stranger an original painting or a print?
Small World in the Hands of a Stranger is a one-of-a-kind original painted by Melina Ghaemi, oil on canvas. VanArtHub sells originals only and does not sell prints or reproductions of this work, so once it is bought there is no second copy. A signed Certificate of Authenticity ships with the painting.
What is shown in Small World in the Hands of a Stranger?
Painting with a wooden box frame illusion. Diamond-shaped central composition. Multiple interconnected scenes within the diamond. Features landscapes, abstract figures, and surreal elements. The subject is hotel art, boutique art, sold-archive, conceptual art, surrealist art. It was painted by Melina Ghaemi and is titled Small World in the Hands of a Stranger.
What colours are in Small World in the Hands of a Stranger?
The dominant colour in Small World in the Hands of a Stranger by Melina Ghaemi is brown. The style is surrealism, abstract. If you are matching a room, work from the wall colour and the largest piece of furniture rather than from small accessories, and use the 14-day trial to see the painting in your own light before you commit.
Which room does Small World in the Hands of a Stranger suit?
This piece would serve as a compelling focal point in a study, library, or a sophisticated living room. Its intricate details and rich color palette would invite close inspection and spark conversation, adding an element of intellectual curiosity and artistic depth to the space. Small World in the Hands of a Stranger was painted by Melina Ghaemi.
Who painted Small World in the Hands of a Stranger?
Small World in the Hands of a Stranger was painted by Melina Ghaemi, an artist represented by VanArtHub, a gallery based in Vancouver, Canada. You can see the rest of Melina Ghaemi's available and past work at https://vanarthub.com/pages/melina-ghaemi.
When was Small World in the Hands of a Stranger painted?
Small World in the Hands of a Stranger by Melina Ghaemi was painted in 2025, oil on canvas. It is a recent original rather than a reissue or a later copy.
How much does Small World in the Hands of a Stranger cost, and what is included in the price?
Small World in the Hands of a Stranger by Melina Ghaemi is $3,500.00 CAD at VanArtHub. That price includes free fully insured shipping to Canada and the USA, a signed Certificate of Authenticity, and the 14-day trial. There is no framing charge, no delivery charge, and no buyer's premium on top.
Can I return Small World in the Hands of a Stranger if it does not suit my wall?
Yes. Every painting VanArtHub sells, including Small World in the Hands of a Stranger by Melina Ghaemi, comes with a 14-day trial. Hang it at home, and if it is not right, return it within 14 days for a full refund. VanArtHub pays the return shipping, so trying the piece costs you nothing.
How long does shipping take for Small World in the Hands of a Stranger, and does it cost extra?
Shipping is free and fully insured. Small World in the Hands of a Stranger ships from VanArtHub in Vancouver, Canada, and delivery takes 3 to 7 business days within Canada and 5 to 10 business days to the USA. The painting is professionally packed and tracked door to door, and it is insured for its full value the whole way.
Is Small World in the Hands of a Stranger still available?
No. Small World in the Hands of a Stranger by Melina Ghaemi has sold. It was a one-of-a-kind original, so it cannot be reordered. The page stays online as a record of the work, and VanArtHub keeps other originals by Melina Ghaemi at https://vanarthub.com/pages/melina-ghaemi available.
What if my taste changes after buying Small World in the Hands of a Stranger?
VanArtHub offers a Lifetime Trade-Back. You can trade Small World in the Hands of a Stranger back to the gallery at any time, with no deadline, and put the credit toward a different original. Because every piece is one of a kind, the trade-back is what lets a collection change over the years without a loss.

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