Shima Salehi

ART CIRCLE RESIDENCY

During my residency in Vipolže, Slovenia, as part of the Art Circle project, I was surrounded by the serene beauty of a vineyard. The golden sunlight, rolling hills, and exquisite taste of locally crafted wine created an atmosphere of deep reflection, instantly bringing to mind the timeless poetry of Omar Khayyam, whose verses celebrate the fleeting nature of life and the joys of the present moment.

Every day of my stay, I observed the endless sky meeting the vineyard from my window—a scene that became a source of calm, inspiration, and contemplation. The serene atmosphere, warm hospitality, and gentle birdsong all shaped the emotions I poured into my work.

I combined elements of calligraphy, arabesque, and the local cultural influences to create my artworks, reflecting the harmony between the environment, my emotional experience, and the artistic traditions that inspired me.