ISTANBUL, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Syrian sculptor Safaa Alset does not sculpt rubble. She transforms it.
Born in Homs, she remembers the barrel bombs that struck civilian neighborhoods during the civil war that erupted in 2011, burying people beneath collapsed buildings.
From that jagged metal, she shaped trees and flowers.
"That means hope," Alset told Xinhua amid the polished halls and bright lights of Istanbul. "It means we are surviving, and we challenge death."
Bringing these heavy memories to Contemporary Istanbul, Türkiye's leading art fair, is for her an act of optimism and obligation.
"Our job is to document all that happened in the world, to deliver a message, and to educate," she explained. "That is the true role of an artist."
Running from Wednesday to Sunday, the 21st edition of the fair serves as a cultural crossroads, gathering over 70 galleries from across geographies. For Middle Eastern artists, it offers a rare, stable platform to use art as soft power, reaching the global stage despite the isolation of war.
Iranian artist Afsane Nangar uses that platform to issue a call for peace. A contemporary illuminator known for blending traditional Islamic tezhip, or book illumination, with modern touches, she refuses to let darkness have the final word.
"We see wars everywhere," Nangar said. "At first glance, everything seems dark. But we can also see the beautiful energy within it."
As the war between Iran and the United States deepens geopolitical tensions, Nangar deliberately incorporates American cartoon characters into her work to bridge communication.
The shadow of war reaches beyond the canvas and into the art market. Leila Heller, the Iranian-born founder of the Leila Heller Gallery, sees firsthand how conflict alters artists' creative process.
"The war somehow darkens their spirit," Heller said. "Sometimes, instead of red, they use black, because they're thinking difficult times are maybe ahead."
This anxiety is rooted in harsh market realities. Operating her gallery in Dubai, Heller noted that even relatively safe havens feel the strain as collectors leave and tourism dips.
But the struggle is far more severe for artists inside Iran, who are fighting simply to make ends meet. Refusing to let them face this crisis alone, Heller sells their works without taking a commission, sending all proceeds directly to the creators.
Like the artists she represents, Heller relies on a stubborn sense of hope to push through.
"I've been through many wars, through many revolutions, through many difficulties. I'm a survivor," she said. "I always look at the positive side of life."
The push for cultural diplomacy at Contemporary Istanbul extends beyond the Middle East. Pearl Lam, founder of the globally renowned Pearl Lam Galleries and a prominent Chinese gallerist at the fair, sees art as a crucial form of soft power to combat the growing geopolitical divide.
"It is more about communication," Lam said.
By presenting a diverse lineup ranging from traditional Chinese lacquer techniques to works by a Saudi female artist, Lam aims to break down global prejudices.
"The world is a mess right now," she said. "What we need is humanity, empathy, and understanding. Art gives us that soft power." ■
