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Artist's Statement Ruth O'Donnell

Known as Gul-o Bulbul in Persian, the Nightingale and the Rose is a frequent lyrical theme in Iranian decorative art of the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly used in lacquer-work. The spiritual origin of this decorative motif is elaborated throughout the history of Persian poetry, but is especially rooted in a complex narrative poem entitled The Conference of the Birds, by 12th century Iranian Sufi poet Farid Ud-Din Attar. Attar’s marvellous, allegorical rendering of the Islamic doctrine of Sufism – an esoteric system concerned with the search for truth through God - describes a debate among the birds of the world who want to seek out their ideal king, the Simurgh bird. It is a complex and beautiful poem whose subject matter is frankly challenging. In it there is no separation of beauty of expression, wit and paradox, from deep spiritual belief.

The Gul-o Bulbul motif and its associated philosophy found popularity among Western art collectors and writers, and the theme was explored in late 19thC aesthetic literature, including a children’s story by Oscar Wilde, heralding a history of Western fascination with Sufi thought. My six Nightingale and Rose prints are studies of six images on Iranian decorative lacquer-work objects, which reference Attar’s poem. I have not attempted to illustrate Attar’s ideas, but thinking about them has affected my drawing and seeped into the atmosphere of the prints.

Eva Grytt Images