VAZODA LALE 

Abidin Dino rendered "Vazoda Lale" using delicate strokes. Dino was an intellectual and artist who experienced political persecution, and the themes of exile and displacement are often woven into his art. Looking at this subtle piece, it's hard to ignore the vase of tulips as a quiet, persistent symbol. Think about the historical context: tulips, which originated in Central Asia, became a coveted commodity in Ottoman Turkey and later in Europe, where 'tulip mania' gripped the Dutch in the 17th century. What was once an exotic import became a common object. Dino, as a Turkish artist with Kurdish roots who lived in exile in Paris, perhaps saw in the tulip a parallel to his own journey. The muted tones and almost ghostly presence of the flowers evoke a sense of longing and perhaps even a critique of the commodification of culture and identity. There is something poignant about the way Dino captures the beauty and fragility of these blooms, a testament to the enduring power of art to reflect on personal and collective histories.