Draft:Reflectionism

• Comment: all of the sources are about an "Elay Li," not this art... style? monkey_smashing^keyboards (talk) 21:16, 14 January 2026 (UTC)

• Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest guideline, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Atilla CEO (talk) 22:51, 6 January 2026 (UTC)

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Reflectionism

The forms and paintings created through the optical refraction of light rays on the color surface are attributed to the Reflectionism (Latin: riflessione) style. Unlike other formal languages, Reflectionism (Latin: riflessionismo)occurs through the refraction of natural light on the painted surface by means of brushstrokes whose direction follows the structural logic of the form, rather than depicting objects through conventional light–shadow illusion.

Although it may visually resemble monochrome painting, Reflectionism is not intended to create a purely single-color surface. Instead, it is oriented toward light–shadow relativity and the perception of space and time through dynamic light and shadow interactions on the painted surface. Portraits, figures, and objects rendered in this style may be perceived in different states of light and shadow depending on the observer’s viewpoint. Changes in the position of the light source may also alter the perceived expression, light distribution, and shadow structure of the painting. In this sense, Reflectionism constitutes a distinct approach to image construction based on the relativity of light in space and time. Depending on the viewing position, illuminated areas may appear as shadow, while shadowed areas may appear illuminated, and corresponding changes in expression may be observed in portrait works.

Based on a monochrome surface without additional modulation, natural light itself assumes a descriptive role in the painting. The direction of the brushstrokes is intended to guide incoming light rays; therefore, brushstrokes function not only as expressive elements but primarily as descriptive ones. Due to the varying orientations of the brushstrokes, reflected light produces light, shadow, half-shadow, and reflex effects. As a result of this light–shadow relativity, viewers may observe differing visual effects depending on their position relative to the work.

Although the phenomenon of light bending is defined in optics as refraction (Refractionism), the artistic concept developed within this approach is identified as Reflectionism. In this style, brushstrokes and their orientation function as direct descriptive means. The aim is not to create color relief, but to organize brushstrokes in a way that allows light itself to become a formative element. Brushstrokes oriented in different directions on the color surface may weaken or intensify incoming light rays, transforming their interaction into dynamic visual structures within the color space. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}

References

1. "Elay Mammadov – Open Science Article". Science.gov.az.
2. "Elay Li: La pittura della coscienza". Avanti Online.
3. "Dentro il Monocromo: Elay Li". Small Zine.
4. "Monoxrom rəng səthləri, işıq sınması və portretlər – Elay Məmmədov". Daha.az (in Azerbaijani).
5. "Elay Li – Galleria Antonio Battaglia". Galleria Antonio Battaglia.
6. "Elay Li – Contemporary G Art". Contemporary G Art.