“Viewing miniatures or “perfected art” is a way to achieve a kind of glimpse of eternity.” My name is Red, Orhan Pamuk

The beauty and mystery of this world only emerges through affection, attention, interest and compassion . . . open your eyes wide and actually see this world by attending to its colors, details and irony.”My name is Red, Orhan Pamuk

Miniature is a style of painting that from its beginning, around the early 7th century, has been associated with the demand for illustration and beautification of documents and manuscripts. It is most often used to convey a certain message, be it of a poetical, fictional, philosophical, or religious nature. Thus, miniature is closely related to the art of graphic design.

In this cycle of paintings I do not create true miniatures. Instead, I take elements from this style of painting which was widely utilized in old manuscripts and wall paintings, and apply them to contemporary themes and topics or impressions from my travels in the Orient. It is dedicated to the great miniaturists from Qazvin, Samarkand, Shiraz, Herat, Bukhara, Isfahan and Tabriz, who continue teaching me to this day to patiently observe details in the surrounding world. A lot of the images in this cycle are of trees, plants, birds, horses, mythical creatures and architectural elements. These themes follow naturally from the older cycle of paintings dedicated to Trees and Flowers in Time. The philosophy of miniature art has always been closely bound to its creators’ spiritual communion to nature.