His canvases are a happy mélange of styles, reminiscent of Iranian miniatures, his Central Asian roots, and Fauviste images. Figurative scenes – of domestic life, nomad encampments or mystical figures – verge on the abstract, often framed by indecipherable phrases and prayers. The warm red and orange colours reflect the landscape around him, while recurrent motifs are inspired by local traditions, such as the square – which represents the four sacred elements of earth, water, fire and air – and the “tchacho” silk square worn at weddings and funerals’ Leighton House Museum, London wrote.