Spirit is a marvelous thing. Complex and enduring, it’s hard to distinguish, while at the same time, it needs only a little to ascend. What a magnificent spirit is that of Iranian artist Maral Tak, who continues to pursue her creativity and create inspiring pieces of art despite the everyday difficulties imposed on her by society and politics.
Born in Tehran, Iran, Maral Tak discovered a passion for painting, expressing her contemplations on what makes us human. Her artistic journey took her onto the path of self-exploration, making the matters of identity a foundational element of her art. She creates rich visuals rising from the intersection of culture, identity, nature, and their relationships.
Maral Tak – Mixed media work
Powerful Emotion in Abstract and Figurative Motifs
Observing Maral Tak’s paintings, we can easily recognize emotive elements at their core. She tells us visceral stories of love, affection, spirituality, and calm. Her works are tender but imposing and painted on a large scale, as they allow — or rather invite — the observer to immerse themselves fully into the sentiment and explore the minute specificities from within.
Her themes are anthropological, depicted with flowing abstract elements and recognizable human, animal, and floral forms mixed with hints of Persian lettering and ornaments. The hues are harmonious, translucent, and fluid, merging within contours or spreading freely across the canvas. The profusion of elements and color makes the initial impression, but once we take the plunge into Tak’s work, we can discern traces of more concrete narratives.
Maral Tak – Mixed media work
The Tale of Identity
Diving through waves of Tak’s sheer colorful forms, we’ll stumble upon winding lines — enlarged pieces of writing in Farsi and spin along ornamental spirals that evoke Iranian miniature. Amalgamated with striking layers of vivid abstraction, figures of horses in wild movement, female and male forms in amorous interactions, exploding liquids, and florals bursting with energy together showcase the underlying life, forced to become covert within a veiled environment. While politically vocal artists, such as Shirin Neshat, depict the state of women in Iran more directly using film and photography, Maral Tak tells the same story from a different angle. We are allowed to peek into her personal world, roam through her contemplations, and find the undeniable common thread as we identify with her position as human. Finally, we are left contemplating the impact our surroundings have on our identities, which is one of the main underlying questions Maral Tak tackles in her work.
Maral Tak – Mixed media work
A Strength in Art
As she creates in unison with her personal beliefs, it’s easy to see that Maral Tak’s painting is a source of strength. Nuanced, tender, yet powerful visuals tell the universal story of the human condition, giving us an insight into a woman artist’s personal and environmental life from present-day Iran. Her path is difficult, but — like her fluid forms — she found a way to exhibit in more moderate countries in Asia, as she shows her work on social media platforms and in private viewings, keeping a low profile for a good reason.
As the opportunities for public exhibition have been quite scarce for Maral Tak, visitors to the Discovery Art Fair in Frankfurt 2024 will have a rare opportunity to view her work in person.
Do not miss this chance! Join us from October 31 till November 3 at the Messe Frankfurt – Halle 1.2.