Ömer Lekesiz on the spiritual meaning of perspective in Islamic art

Ömer Lekesiz explores the spiritual and philosophical dimensions of Islamic art, arguing that the absence of traditional perspective is not a technical deficiency but a deliberate choice rooted in 'Tawhidic perception.'

Drawing on the teachings of Niyâzî-i Mısrî, the analysis suggests that when an artist withdraws their ego from the work, the art ceases to be a tool for personal fame and instead becomes a sacred trust. In this framework, art shifts from being representation-centered to being manifestation-centered (tecellî).

This approach uses non-linear elements—such as the lack of a horizon line, the absence of diminishing scale for distant objects, and the merging of different times and spaces—to remind the viewer that what is seen is not the absolute reality. Rather than answering 'what is this?', the art encourages the viewer to ask 'what does this open up to?'