16 May '16

Islamic Art

Posted by Priyanka S in Islamic Art

Islamic Art plays a vital role in the way of life called Islam. Islam, extending from the Africa to Asia creates a unique scope of artistic concepts.

This diversity, however, is contained within a somewhat, restricted framework of techniques. Here I use the term ‘restricted’ very loosely, as each individual technique can be applied in such a way as to achieve an almost infinite number of transformations, for any given art form. I will be discussing this in more detail during the course of this essay.

Before moving on to discuss the huge variety we find in Islamic Art and the factors which unite this huge concept, I think it is important to clarify what this concept of ‘Islamic Art’ is.

The term Islamic generally refers to purely religious expressions, such as calligraphy.

Is it art created by Muslims? Or alternatively, is it art created by people residing in countries where the dominant religion is Islam? Or should it be confined to the literal meaning of the word ‘Islamic’? The word ‘Islamic’ means, ‘of Islam’. It is an expression used to describe the object in question, as being something which complies with the beliefs and values of the religion, Islam. I will be using the latter description, to describe the term ‘Islamic Art’. As a result, all figural works of art will not be included in this study. The reason for this being evident in the following saying of the Prophet Muhammad in which he condemned artists who try to

‘ape’ the creation of God: in their afterlife they will be ordered to give life to their works and will suffer from their incapacity to do so.

Muslim artists transformed everyday objects into artistic masterpieces.

See nice Islamic art patterns on Eid cards and posters here.

Islamic Art is therefore, inexhaustibly diverse, with an almost infinite number of art forms.

See nice Abaya patterns and fashions here

Variety is plentiful as it is, but if we break down each art form and analyze the multiplicity we find within the realms of that particular artistic expression, we find the world of Islamic Art expanding even further. As I mentioned earlier, certain restrictions are present, creating a framework within which Islamic Art is applied. The elements used to achieve this include, arabesque, calligraphy and geometry. This may seem like a limited number of styles to work with, reducing the diversity which can be achieved, however, this restriction, far from impoverishing the expression of Islamic artists, resulted in the raising of abstract design into an art form, not only of enormous wealth.

Looking at the fascinating field of calligraphy, we find that many different scripts have evolved in various regions of the Muslim world, over a vast expanse of time. These scripts range from Kufic, Naskhi, Thuluth and Diwani. It is clear from this that this particular element of Islamic Art is almost inexhaustible, given the various types of Arabic script and the extension of the Islamic culture.

Geometrically, each pattern being generated by a unique and complex system of numbers. The unique nature of the patterns produced implies the plurality present. No two patterns are the same, therefore, gaining a diverse attribute. One can delve deeper into the spirituality connected with Islamic Art by allowing oneself to contemplate a geometric pattern and allow the gaze to become soft and not attempt to fix it, the patterns endlessly mutate into different geometrical arrangements.

The vastness we begin to encounter within Islamic Art becomes quite unimaginable, extending as far as one allows it to extend. One geometric Expression, such as the ceiling of the Comates Hall in Alhambra, is quite different to another, such as the detail found on the minbar in the Arslanbane Mosque in Ankara.

See Islamic art patterns on hijabs and Muslim Scarves here

Haven explored the extent to which this diversity reaches, it is important to try and understand the reasons behind this occurrence.

Both contributing factors are mentioned here; space and time. The various styles evolved over long periods of time, with each generation adding to the diversity in the environment. With the Islamic civilization gradually expanding to cover a large area of land, enveloping many cultures, a series of local styles were added to Islamic Art.

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Other Sources

Modest and Artistic Clothing for Women

Muslimah fashions Site

Dua art calligraphy poster

Islamic Calligraphy and Art Articles and Showcases

The "Art" of Islamic Art - By Salma Arastu

Islamic Calligraphy - The works of Ricardo Panizza

22 Apr '16

Islamic Art (The Works of Salma Arastu)

Posted by Nosheen Z in Islamic Art

Art, in general is defined as something that human beings create in pictorial or other forms through their skill and imagination to capture experiences, pictures, concepts and thoughts. Islamic Art usually encompasses an area of study whereby Muslims have reflected various cultural and other Islamic traditions in picture forms. This page specifically portrays the works of a US basd Islamic Artist who goes by the name of "Salma Arastu". HilalPlaza.com is proud to bring to our visitors her work. Her work includes Islamic calligraphy on paper as well as ceramic tiles. To buy any of her work, please contact us as sales [@] hilalplaza.com.

My involvement with Islamic Art - By Salma Arastu

Arabic Calligraphy has never been challenged as the supreme art of the Islamic world, reflecting the centrality of the Quranic revelation to Islamic faith and culture. In Islam, the Quran is held to be Allah’s eternal word, giving Arabic a special status as the God’s actual revelation. It was the man’s pure faith to preserve these precious words of Allah that he went on creating more beautiful ways to write these words to please Allah SWT, from early Hijazi style to Kufic, to more cursive scripts.

I was fortunate to view the earliest Quran written on monumental vellum leaves to contemporary styles of Arabic calligraphy in Kuwait National Museum in seventies. The magic of fluent, flowing line captured me and I sat spellbound, following the movement of line and forming precious words. The arabesque designs, presenting eternity, were combined with the flow of Calligraphy. I felt the spirituality and faith mirrored in these jewel like works. And they are constant source of my inspiration.

In the beginning Islamic arts developed as practical arts as the calligraphy and arabesque (continuous pattern of geometric or flowers designs) were drawn on metal pots, leather bags, glass lamps and ceramic bowls. Amazing craftsmanship was revealed as the artist sole purpose was to please God and thus it had to be perfect and meticulous. But as Islam spread all over and while merging with other cultures, Islamic artisans started using this meticulous draftsmanship to produce Book arts and miniature style paintings. Arts and poetry were considered forms of worship. Though the format may have changed over the years as today we create art for the walls more than other objects, but the burning desire to please Allah is still there. Islamic arts gave rise to spirituality in Arts and life.

In this regard, perhaps I can analyze my work better than others. As the line was my leading guide over the blank surface of the canvas while copying Arabic Calligraphy, it became more free, lyrical and energetic. It has allowed me to create Calligraphic designs or flow of humanity. I want to spread Allah’s love by bringing all people together with this single line of positive energy. I have created several pieces which show, unity and celebration together and world harmony. Faceless people are not given the identity and thus represent the entire humanity without differences. We are all human spirit and the color, race and religion were added later. Allah wants us to live together and share together and thus I recreate these visions which show people in celebrations, visiting neighbors, families reunion, celebration of life, glow of unity and hope of the new earth.