Materials: Gold embroidery thread, genuine indigo pigment in gum tempera and egg glair on watercolour paper.
Size: 55x55 cm.
Completed: 21 June 2023.
Description: Though symbolically completed on the summer Solstice, this piece has been taking shape since a dream I had back in March. The visual elements I took from it are the overall palette of greys, with the one golden element. The word I chose to transpose it in is qirbān قربان which means "offering". Although a number of other Arabic words carry that meaning, I was specifically drawn by its etymology: qirbān is from the root QRB, "nearness", and its literal meaning is "something to bring one closer [to the Divine]". It’s also an ecumenical word, prominent both in the Qur’an and in Christian rites.
The rough granulation of the indigo pigment and variegation of the natural materials balance out the strict geometric precision of the composition, but also offer an extra layer of contrast with the purity of the painstakingly woven, golden “offering”,.
Studio price: [expired]