Three Breaths Through the Mist, ebru (hatip/flower ebru on a somakî ground), pigments and ox gall on fabric
This work unites the classical principle of ebru—controlled chance—with the floral style. On a misty, marble-like somakî ground, a three-headed composition rises from a single stem; the petals tilt gently left and right, creating rhythm. Balancing warming and cooling colors with a purple–red–yellow sequence, the artist defines form without black contour, relying solely on the expansion of pigment. This choice shows a refined respect for the nature of ebru—the breath of paint moving on water.
The tapering of the stem and the serrated leaves signal classical training, while the symmetry of the hatip “hearts” reveals a masterful balance of ox gall and size. The ground is deliberately low-contrast, allowing the theme of unity-in-plurality to command the scene. The work reconciles traditional modesty with contemporary chromatic boldness on the same surface.
As you view this ebru, first let your eye drift with the slow flow of the ground’s veins; then notice how the diagonal motion leads you from the central bloom to the side blossoms. A lively presence emerges from a quiet background, reminding us of the paradox at the core of ebru: surrender and control, the instant and permanence. For this reason, the piece is not merely a floral depiction; it is a deft record of time and rhythm.
