Madrasah by Irina Merkulova
Explore Mondoir Studio
Medium: Oil on canvas, palette knife
Dimensions: 40 x 60 cm
Year: 2025
Price: $790.00 USD
Status: available
In creating "Madrasah," I was drawn to the serene beauty and timeless elegance of Islamic architecture. The deep blues and vibrant turquoise tones are my homage to the calm and spiritual essence these structures embody. As I painted, I imagined the quiet whispers of history echoing through the arches, inviting viewers to step into a world where time seems to pause. Using a palette knife allowed me to build rich textures, capturing the intricate details and the play of light on the domes and arches. The bold strokes create a dynamic interplay of color and form, bringing the scene to life with a sense of movement and depth. It's as if the building itself breathes with the stories of those who have walked its halls. I hope that when you gaze upon this piece, you feel a sense of peace and wonder, as if standing in the presence of something greater than oneself. May "Madrasah" bring a touch of that tranquility and character to your space, serving as a reminder of the beauty and spirituality that exists in the world.
Why collect this work?
An elongated format and a low, centred route make the illuminated entrance the destination of the entire composition, turning the depicted facade into a study of directed attention.
- Merkulova’s supplied statement identifies sacred spaces and stillness as foundations of her practice. In this painting, stillness comes less from restrained handling than from the firm central axis that contains the energetic marks.
- In the photograph, the path narrows sharply towards an amber portal, while cool-toned arches accumulate around it. Small ochre accents across the dome prevent the central glow from becoming completely isolated.
- The catalogue records oil on canvas applied with a palette knife. Here, blunt patches and scraped-looking seams permit rapid shifts between architectural edges and looser passages, though the photograph cannot establish the paint’s actual relief.
- Because the title names a madrasah, the empty approach can be read as access to a place of study as well as a ceremonial threshold. That overlap makes the work pertinent to discussions of how architecture organizes attention and entry.
About the Artist
Irina Merkulova
Irina Merkulova is an artist on Mondoir Studio. Artistic discipline: painting. Based in Dubai, AE.
Nationality: Russian
I am interested in moments of inner stillness — states that exist beyond narrative, time, or place.
