Raqa e Bismil (Dance of the Wounded)

Size: 24"x48"

Acrylic on Gallery-wrapped canvas 

In "Dance of the Wounded," a Whirling Dervish spins gracefully, his flowing robe twisting against a vivid red backdrop. The striking crimson color suggests intensity, evoking themes of sacrifice, passion, and resilience. Above him, a full moon glows, bearing the Arabic calligraphy "Allah Hu," symbolizing the Divine. The moon’s gentle light contrasts with the fiery background, creating a serene, spiritual aura over the scene, as though illuminating the Dervish to transcendence.

The Galata Tower stands in the background, symbolizing Istanbul's enduring history and the spiritual roots of Sufi mysticism. The Dervish's face is featureless, emphasizing anonymity and the dissolution of self in the divine presence. This faceless form captures the essence of the Sufi path—an erasure of the ego in pursuit of spiritual unity.

The red backdrop amplifies the theme of inner wounds and healing, portraying the dance as a sacred journey through pain towards divine love. The painting serves as a visual ode to resilience and spiritual transcendence, portraying the Whirling Dervish's movements as both an act of devotion and a dance of the wounded soul, rising above earthly suffering in search of peace and divine connection