Amberin Asad Javaid & Samreen Wahedna, Alhamdulillah, 18 x 18 inches, Ink & Gouache on Paper, Calligraphy Painting, AC-AASW-028

Script: Riqa

Riqa is a relatively simple and plain style used for everyday writing and often used for signs. This script was intended for the rapid production of texts. The letters are composed of short straight lines and simple curves.

Illumination: Zencerek and Turkish Rococo

Turkish Rococo, An astonishing variety of stylized plant and flower motifs were used which became more naturalistic by the end of the 18th century. The compounding effect of western influence of Baroque and Rococo led to a new style of ornamentation known as ‘Turkish Rococo’. This style dominated Ottoman decoration until the 19th century and undoubtedly played a part in the spectacular development of flower painting.

About Exhibition

Calligraphy is an Islamic Art of decorative handwriting. It is a tradition that is considered sacred by Muslims for centuries. Earlier, calligraphy was used to write the verses from the Quran but as Islam started to spread, Quranic writings reached new artistic heights as never before. Calligraphers from the Islamic world started using Quranic texts on the ceilings and walls of mosques and monuments, on the surfaces of pottery and metal objects and in writing beautiful manuscripts. Calligraphy entered a new phase of glory when different writing forms or scripts like Thuluth, Naskh, Diwani, Riqa, Kufi and Taliq emerged as the Islamic way of artistic expression.

As the art developed in the Muslim world, Calligraphy was not enough so artists started adding gold to decorate the Quran, to physically represent the enlightenment that comes from the word of God. From 10th century onwards Quranic Illumination became more elaborate. Its costly production required a wealthy patron, a Sultan or an influential courtier to patronize it. This led to an exceptional refinement of Islamic Art between the 16th and 18th centuries where exquisite masterpieces were created. These masterpieces stored in museums around the world, are a historical documentation of the past.

As our experiences become increasingly mediated by digital technologies, direct sensory perception and appreciation of the world, both past and present, have become all the more important. We have to bear in mind that nothing is eternal. Years, centuries and ages will come and pass and things that were considered never to be forgotten disappear in the course of time. Many traditions have faded with time without passing to the younger generation. Today it is our task to preserve what is left hence we pay our tribute to those who have devoted their years in practicing this traditional art.

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