jason seife's hand-painted persian carpets are impossibly ornate

using acrylic and ink, miami-based artist jason seife meticulously illustrates the intricate and ornate patterns of old persian carpets on large scale canvases. drawn to the aesthetic of these carpets and their rich history, colorful patterns and imagery laden with symbolism, seife both recreates and re-contextualizes the ancient weaving craft in a new light. painstaking detail is inscribed with paintbrushes and pen, forming precise patterns and meticulous, minute motifs that are impossibly ornate.

constant nothing, 2016 | acrylic and ink on canvas | 48 x 36 inches
image courtesy of robert fontaine gallery 

seife’s intricate paintings adopt motifs and patterns commonly used in persian rug design, weaving together images of botanical life, geometric shapes, and graphic symbols. shining a new light on the ancient craft, the artist introduces color not typically associated with textiles, forming his own interpretations that reflect his personal aesthetic.

inspired by the way weavers were able to link each rug’s pattern, palette, and style with a specific geographic area, seife aims to mirror this practice. his take on the carpets sees each color and pattern specifically correlate to what state of mind and emotion he is in while executing the artwork.

precise patterns and meticulous, minute motifs are impossibly ornate

quiet mouth, loud hands, 2016 | acrylic and ink on canvas | 60 x 40 inches
image courtesy of robert fontaine gallery

I envy your apathy, 2016 | acrylic and ink on canvas | 60 x 48 inches
image courtesy of robert fontaine gallery

ambulance vs. ambulance | 12 x 12 inches | acrylic, ink and oil maker on canvas | maple frame

details from the artist’s studio indicate the ornate quality of the artwork 

seife adopts motifs and patterns commonly used in persian rug design

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