Azerbaijan-based artist Faig Ahmed works in many mediums, but perhaps he is best known for his unconventional and fanciful textiles. He starts with traditional Islamic rug designs and manipulates the patterns to create what have been called “psychedelic” expressions. By pixellating, distorting or reconstructing the traditional patterns he draws the viewers attention to both their inherent form and colour palette. New York’s Sapar Contemporary Gallery says, “his works reimagine ancient crafts and create new visual boundaries by deconstructing traditions and stereotypes.” At the core of his work is a playfulness that both complements and challenges old world structure and formality.