Calligraphy

The results of my experiments with calligraphy and traditional Sakha elements. 
​
In Sakha culture, words are sacred and are believed to have healing power as well as destructive properties. Hence why words are chosen and spoken carefully. There are no cussing words in the Sakha language. We believe that ill speech creates an ill mind that then leads to unhappiness in people and the world. 
​
Before the arrival of Russians and Christianity in the area, depicting people in traditional art was taboo. Instead, a rich library of ornaments was developed. Our art highlights our strong bond with the natural world. Sakha nation views nature as a mother and calls the sun a father. As a nation living in one of the most extreme climates on the planet, we have developed a deep understanding and extensive knowledge of our environment to ensure a harmonious existence and survival. Our ornaments are a reflection of that. They depict the world around us. Each ornament has a meaning behind it and comes with a set of rules for application and usage. 
​
The combination of calligraphy and ornaments is somewhat unique in the Sakha graphic art that I've developed. Words and ornaments are two sacred elements that I wanted to unite in one visual language. The ornaments I use are usually applied on metal, clay, wood and fabrics. Some of them were specifically designed for those materials. It was challenging for me to follow the rules and, at the same time, to create something new. Digital art is a new direction, so a lot of contemporary Sakha artists hesitate to use ornaments in such an unconventional medium. The calligraphy and ornaments combination is my way of keeping our traditions relevant and popular. I believe that people should respect them, but also it's important to move forward with time.