Constellation of Petals, ebru (hatip rosettes and leaf forms on a somakî/battal ground), pigments and ox gall on paper
On a pale, marble-like ground veined with honey-gold somakî, the artist stages a poised choreography of forms: a four-point star drawn with fine biz pulls anchors the center, while fan-shaped leaves and compact hatip rosettes orbit at measured intervals. The primary triad—blue, red, yellow—tempered by green and edged in black, delivers a clear chromatic rhythm without overwhelming the negative space.
The work balances ebru’s controlled chance with architectural order. The gold lattice pauses the eye; then the diagonals of the star release it toward the surrounding motifs, creating a slow–quick–slow cadence across the sheet. Crisp veins, clean lifts, and buoyant color expansion speak to a deft balance of ox gall and size, while the delicate serrations on the leaves reveal confident hand control.
Neither purely ornamental nor strictly symmetrical, Constellation of Petals reads as a map of motion—a constellation charted on water—where tradition’s measured discipline meets improvisation and breath.
