The isle shadows 2018

"The isle shadows", made by Soltan Soltanlı, invites us into a dreamy, vibrant world. The composition has a naive quality, with a strong emphasis on flat shapes and pure color, giving the scene an imaginative, story-book feel. Looking closely, I notice the trees are rendered with tight, repetitive dabs of green paint, building up a dense, almost spongy texture. This is contrasted with the smoother, more fluid handling of the water. There's a kind of wonderful, insistent rhythm in the mark-making. See how the deer are carefully outlined, with their bodies and spots meticulously depicted against the shimmering blue of the water. This balance of playful naivety and careful observation reminds me a little of Henri Rousseau, another artist who created his own unique worlds through close observation of nature and art history. Ultimately, "The isle shadows" is an invitation to embrace the joy of seeing and making.