Jajimi Alphabet 

Anima Ehtiat created this watercolor painting, "Jajimi Alphabet," using paper, pigment, and ink. The materials here are modest, quotidian even. But the intensive labor involved in the painting’s making is evident in every careful stroke. The repeated geometric forms remind me of woven textiles, especially the “jajim” flatweaves of Iran. Jajims are created via laborious work, often by women in rural communities. They can be disassembled and repurposed, adapting to changing circumstances of life. In a similar spirit, Ehtiat assembles her abstract composition from many individual components – small squares and triangles, each filled with color. These tessellated shapes are mirrored in the borders of abstracted script, which appear to be invented yet hint at many existing languages. Ultimately, “Jajimi Alphabet” invites us to consider the intimate connection between the work of the hand, the transmission of cultural knowledge, and the endless potential of artmaking. It’s a valuable reminder that even the simplest materials can yield complex and profound results.