Knots of Flight

This artwork was created using special fabric paints on Termeh, a traditional Persian textile with intricate patterns. The choice of this fabric was intentional—it serves as both a cultural reference and a textured canvas that influences the painting process.

I began by carefully sketching the central composition, ensuring that the natural motifs of the Termeh fabric harmonized with the painted elements. The hand, hair, and bird were then built up in delicate layers of color, using diluted paint washes to achieve a soft yet defined texture. Unlike thick impasto strokes, my approach focused on precision and fluidity, allowing the underlying fabric patterns to subtly interact with the painted forms.

Fine detailing was achieved through controlled brushwork, with careful layering to create depth and movement. The intertwining vines and floral elements were added to bridge the painted forms with the organic flow of the textile’s motifs, seamlessly integrating the composition.

The result is a fusion of tradition and contemporary expression—an artwork that emerges from the constraints of its structured background, much like the story it seeks to tell.

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