Symposium 

Anima Ehtiat created this artwork, titled "Symposium," using ink and watercolor. The fluid nature of the materials is evident in the bold outlines and translucent washes of color. The ink defines the forms, while the watercolor fills them with a vibrant, dreamlike quality. It appears as though the artist swiftly applied the medium onto the support, creating a raw, expressive quality. While these materials are rooted in the history of fine art, Ehtiat deploys them with a refreshing lack of preciousness. The imagery might suggest a gathering of figures, but this is rendered with spontaneous energy. It challenges our preconceptions about the time-honored tradition of painting, pushing against the idea of "high art" and highlighting the importance of the artist's hand, of mark-making, and free expression. In understanding "Symposium," we should consider not only the subject, but the material qualities and the processes involved in its creation. This approach allows us to appreciate the energy and immediacy of the work.