About this Artwork

Informed by a variety of different cultures, Ostovany feels a connection to multiple separate and yet complementary mystical traditions.

He looks toward elements of Western and Eastern art, literature, spirituality, poetry and music to create an environment and a mindset conducive to his process, which is connected to Abstract Expressionism and Color Field painting.

The inspiration and the point of departure for the series "The Third Script" is the rapturous encounter between Rumi (13th century Persian Sufi mystic and poet) and the dervish Shams of Tabriz in November 1244. For Rumi this was an event that shook up his life and set his soul on fire and it was indeed Shams that freed the molten lava of poetry within him. It was a mystical union and Rumi and Shams immediately recognized each other as soulmates and companions on the spiritual path. They found in each other the indescribable third script, which cannot be understood by mind but only known as its presence is felt.

"The writing comes in three scripts. One that he alone can read. One that he and others can read. And one that neither he nor anyone else can read. I am that third script."
- Shams-e-Tabrizi, 13th Century Persian Sage