My husband, Eldar, underwent cancer treatment last year. But instead of slowing down, he used that difficult period to move forward. He discovered that his visual talent was perfectly suited to digital tools, and the results have been astonishing, at least to me.
The fact that just one year later we have launched an online gallery and completed the production of artworks for an exhibition is quite remarkable, given that Eldar is 79 years old.
Eldar has developed a style he calls Digitalpoetism & Beyond, a personal visual language that uses modern digital tools to enhance human emotion, atmosphere, symbolism, and imagination. The result is a collection of original visual poems that balance contemporary expression with timeless themes.
Watching his images take physical form on aluminium composite panels here in Bangkok has been an incredible experience. Eldar’s uncompromising commitment to quality has shown me that something already very good can become even better when given the utmost care and attention.
Eldar’s decision to choose Bloom Pro Lab for the printing and finishing of the exhibition artworks turned out to be exactly right. Mark and his team communicate fluently in English and are great professionals.
We had planned to take a short holiday by the coast once the production of the exhibition prints was complete. But then Eldar came up with an idea he had to test. Unable to find a simple back-frame and hanging solution for the artworks, he decided to make one himself.
However, walking through Bangkok’s Chinatown in 44°C heat, on foot and without speaking the language, while searching for the aluminium profiles he needed, was a bit much for me. He eventually realised that the area we had been exploring mainly specialised in iron and steel. We found a café with aircon and internet access, where a simpler solution gradually began to take shape.
The following day, we visited an aluminium supplier (Aluinch) that had suitable profiles and could cut them to the required lengths.
We had also planned to produce a small collection of lightweight satin scarves featuring some of Eldar’s Pegasus motifs while we were in Bangkok.
“The future rises for the one who keeps going — even when you must begin again and again.”
It speaks for itself, and the image will be amazing as wearable art.
It took time to find a production company we felt comfortable working with, and once we did, there wasn’t enough time left to complete the project. However, we established contact with David, the Business Development Manager of Fabricity, one of Bangkok’s leading textile printing companies. This means that wearable art will eventually become part of the GaffGaff Galleri collection as well.
It is admirable that Eldar keeps pushing forward like this, but it can be challenging to keep up, especially in a city like Bangkok, with both a heatwave and frequent thunderstorms.
Fortunately, this is more than compensated for by the fantastic food available everywhere. Even on a limited budget, you can eat extremely well in Bangkok. The simple street-side eateries, with just a few tables and chairs, consistently serve good food, and the meals feel safe and freshly prepared.
We have not had time for sightseeing, but we have certainly eaten well during this first phase of producing the artworks for GaffGaff Galleri. Looking back on these past weeks, what stays with me most is not only the artwork itself but also the determination behind it. After everything Eldar has been through, seeing him continue to create, experiment, and move forward with such energy at 79 years of age has made this journey far more meaningful than a simple exhibition project.
Featured image © Gracela Einarson
