ArtDayMe : A wide variety of modernist and contemporary classics by Iranian and Arab artists are housed in the Middle East Raha Gallery Collection, which has been actively involved in cultural activities for more than 20 years with a focus on promoting regional art.

An example of this is the acknowledged piece “Lily” by the renowned Iranian artist Seyed Mohammad Ehsai. This exquisite painting from the “Lily” series is a blatant example of Ehsai's fusion approach between traditional calligraphy and modern expressiveness, as one of the forerunners of Iranian contemporary calligraphy. The abstract and fractured representation of lily flowers conveys the calligrapher's visual intensity while also expressing the beauty of nature.

Ehsai has developed a visual language based on the elasticity and curl of letters and phrases by fusing modernity and tradition. This language has unique qualities. Art enthusiasts now applaud his innovative interpretations of Persian words, which he achieved after years of mastering traditional calligraphy. As a result, his early experiences from the 1960s and 1970s were featured in the curatorial area of the Venice Biennale 2024, in the Giardini gardens.

Ehsai, born in Qazvin in 1939, has set astounding achievements, including a million-dollar sale at Christie's. His paintings can be found in museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the British Museum.

 This piece, measuring 122 × 92 centimeters and part of Raha Gallery’s collection, was created by Ehsai in 2020. In his artwork, lilies combine elements of Iranian-Islamic calligraphy and nature.

In many civilizations, lily is a distinctive emblem of spirituality, growth, hope, and divine beauty. Ehsai painted this flower in an abstract and distorted manner, stressing movement and energy rather than realistic detail.

The premise of the work is an attempt to depict spirituality and movement in nature using calligraphy and free forms. The relationship between nature and the human soul, which is evident in many of Ehsai's works, is expressed by the pen's flowing motion and the shattered forms.

In terms of structure, this work is divided into two sections: the flowers (the upper part of the work), which have a free, flexible, and dynamic posture, and the pedicles (the lower half of the work), which have a standing and steady stance.

A dynamic composition has been produced by the contrast between the flowers' open nature and the pedicles' stiffness. The flowers are distributed in each direction, yet there is an evident harmony among them, which brings the piece together.

The petals' fragmented patterns and curved lines convey a sense of rhythm and unrestrained movement. The pedicles, with their straight and extended lines, provide a sturdy and symmetrical foundation for the composition. The arrangement of the flowers, as well as their curvature, conveys the impression of wind and adds vitality to the piece.

Ehsai' Lilies are also beautiful from the standpoint of color pallet; the flowers' predominant hues of blue and purple evoke feelings of tranquility, splendor, and spirituality.

Yellow is used in some of the petals to add contrast and visual vibrancy, and as a warm hue, it conveys a sense of brightness and hope in the gloomy background. White and gray tones are employed to add depth to the texture of the flowers and convey a sense of gentleness. However, green makes the pedicles and represents life, growth, and endurance.

Nevertheless, the use of a black background for this vibrant piece is the pinnacle of the artist's inventiveness. The background's blackness has enhanced the brightness of the other colors and given the piece a dramatic, enigmatic feel. The dark background highlights the vibrant hues of the flowers and can represent the universe's vast space, mystery, and infinity. This light contrast can represent light in the darkness, hope in terrible circumstances, or an expression of spiritual inspiration. The calligrapher's exquisite colorology and graphic training must be the foundation of this.

 Ehsai employs a style in his work, featured in Raha Gallery’s collection, that incorporates painting, calligraphy, and abstraction.Calligraphy has had an influence on his art, as evidenced by the fragmented forms and curving lines. The artist's command of the technique is evident in the quick, strong, and accurate brushstrokes.

He used an amalgam of colors and layering to produce a unique texture in the flowers and pedicles, adding to the work's visual depth. Various color palettes were employed in the flowers area to generate a sense of size and significance. The pedicles are made with flatter hues and extended lines to promote visual equilibrium.

The work's philosophy includes a link between nature and calligraphy. The expert calligrapher has established a position in celebrating handwriting in the most beautiful and graceful manner possible.

Ehsai's use of calligraphy forms and fluent pen movements in this piece creates an image of nature that transcends mere representation. In certain ways, his art exhibits an introspective and abstract nature, combining calligraphy language with natural forms.

The Lily flowers in the piece are in a state of movement and emancipation, symbolizing the spiritual journey and the fluidity of life. The contrast between the vitality of the flowers and the immobility of the pedicles conveys a sense of balance between stability and change, permanence and metamorphosis.

Ehsai's "Lily" is a notable work of contemporary Iranian art that combines calligraphy, abstract painting, and naturalism. The incorporation of fragmented and fluid forms, a vibrant color palette, and a balanced arrangement have resulted in a dynamic and spiritual work that expresses the link between traditional Iranian art and modern world tendencies.

Ehsai has created a unique Lily painting, housed in Raha gallery's collection,based on his specialization, handwriting, while also using dynamic and abstract artistic expression to embody life, movement, and spiritual transformation.