artist profile

Reviving an Ancient Arabic Script: An Interview with Artist Joumana Medlej

Reviving an Ancient Arabic Script: An Interview with Artist Joumana Medlej

It was working with Sayegh that put me on the path to studying and practicing the early tradition (though together we worked on his own art pieces, in his personal contemporary style), and he impressed upon me the need to return to the creative spark and not simply keep repeating comatose styles

A Journey in Eastern Art: An Interview with Yukiko Futamura

A Journey in Eastern Art: An Interview with Yukiko Futamura

I think I've been attracted to Islamic art and exotic things since I was a child. I was fascinated by the decorative patterns of the mosque, Arabic music, and traditional Indian and Middle Eastern costumes. The Taj Mahal in India, the Alhambra Palace in Spain, and various buildings and mosaics of Arab culture that I saw in Morocco and Sicily made a strong impression on me.

A Man of Many Firsts: A Conversation with Master Calligrapher Yushaa Abdullah

A Man of Many Firsts: A Conversation with Master Calligrapher Yushaa Abdullah

Yushaa Abdullah is a pioneer. He is one of the first master calligraphers from Nigeria who brought the art, and support from Istanbul to the whole of the Black African Region. He is a man of many firsts. He is the first person in the African region to receive an Ijazah or diploma in Arabic calligraphy, studying under Turkish grandmaster Hasan Çelebi.

The Art of Perception: A Conversation with Master Artist Majid Alyousef

The Art of Perception: A Conversation with Master Artist Majid Alyousef

My objective is to discover new perspectives that the elegance of calligraphic forms, which was developed over many centuries to reach this level- could be presented in a more thoughtful context with a more sharp and bold statement. Talking more technically each letter is developed and crafted in a specific shape or direction that was the thing I like to show in my work.

The Art of Balance: A Conversation with Ebru Artist Sabiha Ozgur

The Art of Balance: A Conversation with Ebru Artist Sabiha Ozgur

Ebru is a result of different factors working hand-in-hand in the perfect balance. Fluid dynamics are at work here: the water’s surface and density, and the interaction of surface, the paint, the surfactant ox gall, the quantity of gall in the paint, and the environmental temperature are all very important. It may take some time to establish the right delicate balance, but when everything is in harmony with each other, the process works smoothly. So, my masters always reminded us that we should be patient, we should do our best, but we should be mindful that it isn’t only us that is making of the art piece – there are many factors at play.

Bringing Light to Ancient Scripts: Profile of Artist Karim Jabbari

Bringing Light to Ancient Scripts: Profile of Artist Karim Jabbari

I believe art has a purpose, art is something that serves and empowers people. For my street art murals, I am very selective about the messages I write. When people see my messages I want people to take away something from it, maybe a glimpse of hope, that is worth it for me. Being a street and light artist means I have the opportunity to reach a lot of people. I want people to feel my art.

Preserving Traditional Arts in the West: Profile of Master Calligrapher Dr. Mehmet Refii Kileci

Preserving Traditional Arts in the West: Profile of Master Calligrapher Dr. Mehmet Refii Kileci

In a way, calligraphy is the language of the pen, and the calligrapher is a messenger who conveys divine and prophetic messages to people. In the Islamic heritage, knowledge is sacred, and so are the means of transmission of knowledge, namely ink, pen, paper and text.

The Story of Necmeddin's Tulip

The Story of Necmeddin's Tulip

Ottoman master Necmeddin Okyay was known as hezarfen (he who practices a thousand arts). He was a master calligrapher, hafiz (memorized the Quran), bookbinder, Ebru artist, botanist, master archer and among other skills. In our times, it is difficult enough to master one art, imagine not only learning but mastering that many different arts.

The Soul of Traditional Arts: A Conversation with Master Calligrapher Bahman Panahi

The Soul of Traditional Arts: A Conversation with Master Calligrapher Bahman Panahi

My teachers have taught me that success in calligraphy is absolutely related and connected to their being, soul and character. So, it was a very important lesson for me to work on myself and then my art. Because the art in any domain, if it not the real reflection of the artist, cannot communicate and transfer to the audience’s souls or to other arts.

 

Six things to know about Turkish master Hasan Çelebi

Six things to know about Turkish master Hasan Çelebi

Hasan Celebi is by far the most distinguished representative of the art of Islamic Calligraphy in modern times. A student of the last representative of Ottoman school of calligraphy, Hamid Aytac, he is our current link to the tradition of Arabic calligraphy.