"The Language of the Unknown: Why Illegible Symbols in Art Continue to Fascinate Us"

Why are we drawn to symbols and characters we cannot understand? In my work, I incorporate foreign scripts—letters and symbols from languages unfamiliar to many. But is understanding truly necessary to feel? Sometimes, meaning doesn’t lie in the words themselves but in the way they are experienced.

Language is more than just communication; it is form, rhythm, and a visual element that resonates with our subconscious. When we see unfamiliar symbols, we are challenged to look differently—not with the mind, but with intuition. This plays a crucial role in my paintings. The characters are not merely decorative; they act as poetic elements where meaning is not immediately fixed but exists between the lines.

This mirrors how we experience art. A painting does not need to be "read" literally to be meaningful. The composition, the lines, the colors, and the presence of mysterious symbols evoke emotions without requiring explicit understanding.

In my recent work, I have used chinese calligrapy, russian, armenian, japanese poems. Here, I combine language with paintings

. Many people ask me what the text means, but as they let go of the need for understanding, they discover a deeper layer within the artwork.

Perhaps the unknown is exactly what makes art so powerful. Not everything needs to be explained—sometimes, the magic lies in experiencing, in letting go of the urge to define.

What does this evoke in you? How do you experience art that resists immediate interpretation? Feel free to share your thoughts or explore my work www.tinekestorteboom.eu or for a visit to my studio email me: tinekestorteboom@mac.com