The Desert Within: Silence, Painting, and Tezhip
- Ishtal
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Interview with Ishtal
1. Please tell us something about your background and your art journey so far.
Painting is my natural medium of expression. At present, I divide my artistic focus between two paths: an original series dedicated to the desert and an intensive study of the traditional art of Tezhip.
The concept of the desert series emerged from the clash of two extreme realities—the dynamic metropolis and the absolute vastness of the desert. The city imposes a relentless pace that leaves little room for fundamental questions about meaning or the direction in which we are heading. The desert offers a completely different dimension of existence. There, only the pure "here and now" matters. Yet this all-encompassing silence is deceptive. Life in the desert pulses just as intensely as it does in the center of a great city; the difference is that all this movement is directed inward rather than outward.
Each painting in this series represents my personal space. A distinctive element of my compositions is a cut-out fragment of the canvas that intentionally reveals the texture of the wall beneath. It serves as a metaphor for the barriers we face in life, but also as a portal connecting the world of spirit with that of matter.
At the same time, I continue to explore the intricacies of Tezhip. Both historical and contemporary masters of illumination from Turkey and Iran are a tremendous source of inspiration for me. Their extraordinary precision proves that traditional craftsmanship can still convey a remarkably fresh and relevant message.
2. Describe what a normal day looks like as an artist.
My day is a dialogue between expression and discipline. I dedicate my mornings to the desert series—large formats, intuition, and complete creative freedom dominate this time. In the evenings, I shift my focus to the art of Tezhip. This traditional illumination requires meditative concentration and millimeter-level precision. These two contrasting worlds perfectly fuel my daily creativity.
3. What are you working on at the moment, and are there any upcoming events you'd like to share?
My attention is currently focused on two poles. On one hand, I am consistently developing my original series, Desert, in which I explore themes of silence, space, and inner barriers. On the other hand, I am intensively refining my technique and precision in order to achieve complete freedom within the demanding art of Tezhip. Traditional illumination is a process that does not forgive mistakes.
As for my plans, the coming months will be a period of intensive studio work, culminating at the end of the year with a collective exhibition of artists.
4. How does your art life impact other parts of your life?
Art completely redefines my everyday life. Working on the Desert series teaches me to maintain perspective amid the rush of the modern world. Meanwhile, the precision of Tezhip has instilled in me great discipline and patience beyond the studio as well.
My artistic life is not merely a profession; it is the lens through which I view relationships, emotions, and everything that surrounds me.
5. Is the artist's life lonely? Please share your thoughts and experiences.
I think it depends on the individual, the world they live in and carry within themselves, as well as their needs. As for me, I need my own space—my personal desert. A place where I can encounter only myself, far from the noise and the blinding glow of city neon lights.
Website: www.Ishtal.li
