Untitled 1 (from the Derakht Series)

As a trained calligrapher, Pouran Jinchi employs traditional calligraphy methods to tackle postmodern theories of aesthetics and language. Derakht is the Farsi word for tree, and in Jinchi's black and white paintings from this series, she employs black India ink on white acrylic painted canvas to represent the calligraphic rendering of the word 'tree', in fragmented parts, to create an image of a tree. Jinchi's drawn figures reveal a hand that is both controlled yet supple, there are neither faint traces of lines, nor loose handling of shapes, what is visible is a perfect balance in composition and form that evokes harmony - one of the major themes in calligraphy practices.