Iranian artist creates majestic murals with fire

Tabriz-born artist Ahad Saadi's childhood passion of playing with fire grew over the years and led him to develop the innovative art technique "Azarnegari." The name derives from a combination of two words: "Azari," meaning fire in Farsi, and "nigari," which refers to drawing. The technique encompasses burning and combining pieces of colored fabric in multi-layered patterns, and was accepted as a new local art form in 2008 by the Iranian Ministry of Culture. Saadi is currently showcasing his work at Art350, an art gallery on Bağdat Avenue on Istanbul's Asian side. With influences from Iran, he has a deep interest in traditional illuminated handwriting and miniature patterns. Using his own method, he gives a 2-D or 3-D look to his work by using several layers of fabric. In this style, Saadi never uses pencil or any type of paint, but pastes small pieces of fabric on top of each other.

Saadi has an interesting story behind his artistic style. Saadi enjoyed watching his father, a carpet and textile merchant, in the Tabriz Bazaar where he learned about traditional inscriptions and designs. Once, while playing with fire in his mother's room, pieces of fabric caught fire and began sticking together. He then started to craft this new technique as an art form. In 2011, he began studying graphic design, but his passion did not subside and he left university to focus on art.

Saadi has held both solo and group exhibitions, and his work is based on mystical and philosophical thought. He produces art that is strongly connected to nature, philosophy, love, the universe and humanity. Apart from abstract ornamentation, some of his work features animal, plant and human figures. Born in 1980, the Iranian artist has previously held exhibitions in Istanbul. He currently works with his technique in the fields of contemporary illuminating, miniatures, contemporary calligraphy, modern painting and sculpture. Viewers can see his latest work until Oct. 31.