Tea Soothes the Soul

Arif played with a number of expressive techniques throughout his decades-long career as an artist (and hairdresser). His use of black here almost makes this painting look like a negative “x-ray” version of the scene—rescued by Arif’s use of line, and the colorfully decorated wagon and driver’s shirt. After a long and probably unprofitable day, two drivers stare into space while drinking tea from traditional tulip-shaped glasses, while their cigarette-smoking friend seems to want to engage them in conversation. A beautiful cobblestone street (interestingly referred to as “Albanian pavement” in Turkey), offsets the darkness, perhaps signaling hope for the next day.