The process of creating any kind of art has always amazed me. For me in creating the Rumi Series, the starting point usually remains the same ; "Calligraphy". Using ink on paper, I let myself go writing the mesmerizing words of Rumi. This is where I can combine few beautiful things of my Persian roots together; Persian Calligraphy which is dated back to 600-500 BC where beautiful and clear writings were always praised by Zoroastrians -. For us calligraphy has also always been a visible expression of the highest art of all, the art of the spiritual world, something that reminds us of Rumi instantly. Combining all these with some Islamic Architectural designs in different shapes, colors and layers I try to bring in more depth to the artwork. More images to follow within the next few weeks of the new pieces.
Musings
My body lusts for soul and soul for me... /
Rumi sessions keep flowing through my soul and it's coming through different shapes and colors. It's created a new language of love. We hear his poetry and we delve into his world and listen for its echoes in our own. The world of Rumi is neither exclusively the world related to any particular religion; it is a state of an evolved human who is not bound by cultural limitations, a one who touches every one of us. As per the reflection of his poems, we see him as an impassionate seeker of the truth and love. It all began when Rumi met Shams, the impact of which left an everlasting impression on Rumi and his work. It's just another reminder to us that you would never know where your next inspiration may come from or who might actually aid furthering your growth. Few years later, when Shams disappeared, Rumi fell into a deep state of grief and gradually out of that pain outpoured thousands of poems which are collected in two epic books named "Divan-e-Shams-e-Tabrizi" and "Massnavi". In my new series of work, I have used some of these mesmerizing poems mixing them with Persian symbols and colors. Stay tuned for more images.
Art for the sake of "ART"?!!! /
No matter where you travel, there is always some great art to see. So many talented artists are working with different media, different circumstances, different cultures... but is the modern world of art and it's art enthusiasts giving the emerging artists enough chance to show what they are capable of? or are we getting to the point where Art is losing its artistic value and just its good as long as its bringing in more cash... Banksy - who's a pseudonymous UK based graffiti artist, political activist, film director and painter - makes a point in NY by setting up a stall of his own original signed art work, each for 60$. Now mind you, the stall included small and large canvases, including a version of "Love is in the air". A limited edition of that work sold for $249,000 at auction this past summer.
By the end of that day, only few artworks were sold, some pieces were even bargained for lower than $60. Banksy described his motivation later as below:" I know street art can feel increasingly like the marketing wing of an art career, so I wanted to make some art without the price tag attached. There's no gallery show or book or film. It's pointless. Which hopefully means something."
I can't help but wonder, are we losing our interest in art for the sake of art? are we looking at it only as a financial investment? Is Banksy right proving in below video that if an amazing piece by a great artist - known or unknown - is not shown to us in a high-end gallery and/or with proper marketing, or better said, through the necessary connections, we might not look at it the same way or not even like it for that matter?
Feel free to watch Banksy's video on this :-