When I first encountered one of Sohan Qadri’s paintings, I was plunged like a pebble into a still pool, radiating ripples of bliss.
An overstatement? I don’t think so.
The effect was profound, even if the words I use to capture it fail.
“A synthesis of emptiness and peace, radiating power,” is what Qadri is trying to express in his art, he writes.
”Art can have the same effect as meditation,” he tells us, “but only if we drop our constantly interpretating mind and learn to simply see . . . . This can happen if you grasp the painting at a subliminal level, let it filter in through your pores.”
With me at least, he succeeded.
His work is made from thick soft paper deeply saturated in brilliant colors, punctuated by ragged tears and rips, wavering furrows and trails of tiny pinpricks, like scattered drops of light–or bread crumbs — leading toward the vast unconscious.
“When I start on a canvas,” he explains, “first I empty my mind of all images. They dissolve into a primordial space. Only emptiness should communicate with the emptiness of the canvas.”
“People are always interested in dreams. I am interested in the question: ‘Who is the dreamer?’” Qadri writes. “I would like to know: ‘Who is the artist behind the artist?’”
When I entered his painting, I felt the presence of the artist behind the artist.
I think I was drawn to his work because when I’m writing, in some way, I am always trying to do that as well, tap into the writer behind the writer.
At my best writing, I feel as if it’s not “me” writing, but something writing through me, beyond me.
As writers and artists, I think we are seeking to move beyond ourselves, dip our pens and brushes into the deep storehouse of the unconscious, the rich field of the imagination, where colors and forms and images and emotions flow.
We tap into it and let it flow out through us, filtered by our experiences and sensibilities, onto paper or canvas.
Readers and art lovers are also seeking to move beyond themselves, to be swept away into other worlds–magical realms or gripping tales created by words, or rich fields of form and color beyond conceptual thought.
The best writing, the best art, for me is when we feel the presence of the creator behind the creator, and recognize, if only for a moment, the face of our larger selves.
Wow…I love his art too! 🙂
I’m glad you like it. It is amazing.
What a nice surprise today to be introduced to Sohan Qadri by you Deborah. I am looking forward to a good long browse and discovery session about this artist.
I’m happy you made this discovery! I discovered him through Resurgence Magazine years ago. They’ve used his paintings for several covers. An awesome magazine BTW.
These are beautiful. I would love to see them in person.
So would I! I’ve only encountered them in print, but even that made a huge impression on me.
What I appreciate what your use of UNconscious as opposed to SUBconscious. It seems that few understand the differnce. No, I am not a snob or trying to cause a problem, but to many folk toss out labels (which are often not only useless, but dangerous) that mean little to nothing.
I think you are right, people do confuse the two.
This is incredible. I am in love with it!!
“Big Smile”–makes me happy you love it!
Thank you, Deborah, for turning me, us, onto this amazing artist. He speaks so loudly visually you have to feel his art to know it, and if and when you do, you’re surprised with a big ‘aha’ inside.
Yes, “aha!” So glad you “found” him–he is a kindred spirit.
Love it when we can connect with an artist’s work. These are fantastic.
Me too. Love sharing things I love, works that move me, and discovering new ones.
Oh, Deborah, thank you so much for sharing these. I could feel it, even in the midst of this busy morning. Wonderful!
So happy you enjoyed them!