One to Watch
Iliad Sabchi
Iliad Sabchi is an emerging artist who currently lives and works in Turkey. Originally from Tabriz, Iran, his current body of work deals with themes of nothingness, the concept of matter, and peace. He creates large-scale and colorful abstract paintings that are explorations of a state of meditational peace and unconsciousness.
Iliad received his BFA in painting from Tabriz Azad University, Iran (2005); he later received his MFA in painting from Visva Bharati University, India (2009). He is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. painting program at Visva Bharati University. He has exhibited extensively in Iran, India, and South Korea, and is ripe for international discovery.
What are the major themes you pursue in your work?
I wish to observe and listen carefully to the tune of every single behavior, change, or invention within the waves of nature. By doing this, I may choose to be in better harmony with nature (or to play solo). I love to jam with nature and feel apart of it by being who I am, and doing what I love.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
I used to show my drawings to an older painter when I was a child. He once said that talent is not enough; you need to be patient in your artistic practice. Once, a Persian calligraphy master told me, “Nature gives us what we deserve, so pay in advance for as much as you can if you truly value what you wish and deserve.”
Prefer to work with music or in silence?
Normally I like listening to music, but l also work in silence. Once I complete a painting, I like to play music as I examine it.
If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?
It’s not so important what that would be; it’s more important why I would have it, and what that would mean to me. So I can only know once I have a work of art whether it is just the beginning of discovering more.
Who are your favorite writers?
Among the many writers that I appreciate, I especially enjoy the works of Carl Gustav Jung. I once came across an interview, where he said “believe is a difficult word to use, I don’t believe, I know.” When he talked about how we know very little about man’s psyche, I recalled how little I know of myself and fellow man. I’ve spent years trying to dig into my own psyche, and understand the common pain, sorrow, pleasure, or wish, and just let it go–free it from myself. I try to express the abstraction of this process in my artwork. I try to be honest and understand human judgment, not just through my explorations with the canvas, but also where judgments have grown roots into my behavior. I try to make my life more meaningful, and I admire Jung’s admission that man cannot stand to live a meaningless life.
