Jahnon
Sumi ink on paper, 17″W x 26″H
Jahnon (The Most Beloved) draws inspiration from Persian Sufi poetry, where the term is used to address the beloved. Derived from the plural of Jahn, meaning “spirit,” Jahnon refers not to a person but to the essence that lies at the heart of being—the force that is most dear and essential to existence. In poetic tradition, this essence becomes the focus of devotion and love, making Jahnon a symbol of profound connection and attraction.
In this series, the portraits are not representations of individual people, but attempts to capture that very essence: the invisible force that draws, binds, and holds everything together.
Formally, the work emerges from my exploration of Persian calligraphy and miniature painting. Like miniature faces, these portraits are pared down to their essentials, with each stroke echoing familiar calligraphic gestures that reflect both tradition and abstraction.