Inspired by a 19th century painting by the legendary Iranian artist Sani-ol-Molk, Keep your Stomach Empty… symbolizes a narrative of fear and of resistance, which are recurring themes in Lashai’s work, and life. In the painting, the grand Mullahs from Sani-ol-Molk’s depictions come together at a feast, reading the Quran and saying their prayers. Suddenly, a rabbit appears within the scene wanting to nibble at their feast, and gets repeatedly shooed away as an animal intruding into their domain. Restored to life, the characters of the original painting symbolize decades of ideology, doctrine and militarism that seem to be rendered timeless. Holding the Quran in one hand, the Mullahs nonetheless hold the stick of oppression in the other.