At the Top of the Tree 2018

Soltan Soltanlı created “At the Top of the Tree” in 2018, though the medium is unknown. The painting depicts a herd of animals seeking refuge around a tree: some sleep in the shade, while one surveys the landscape from the treetop. Soltanlı was born in Azerbaijan, a country that has been a crossroads of culture, empires, and ideologies. This creates a backdrop against which to consider his animal allegory, and the way social hierarchy informs the scene. A single ibex or wild goat sits atop the tree, appearing self-possessed, while various sheep seek shade below. The artwork may be a reflection on leadership, a commentary on the relationship between the powerful and the vulnerable. It encourages us to think about those who lead, those who follow, and the spaces of rest and contemplation that we all seek. The dreamlike quality of the painting evokes themes of power, protection, and the search for tranquility.