Islamic Pattern & Purpose
Sun, Jun 09
|Online Event
In this immersive online event, we explore the power of Islamic patterns as a tool for visual conversations that are spiritual, political, and purposeful. This dynamic session features a panel of distinguished artists who will delve into the profound symbolism and intricate beauty of Islamic art.
Time & Location
Jun 09, 2024, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Online Event
About the event
In this immersive online event, we explore the power of Islamic patterns as a tool for visual conversations that are spiritual, political, and purposeful. This dynamic session features a panel of distinguished artists who will delve into the profound symbolism and intricate beauty of Islamic art. Discover how these timeless designs transcend aesthetics to convey deep spiritual messages and serve purposeful narratives. Our expert panelist of artists will share their creative journeys and discuss how they use traditional motifs to inspire modern, thought-provoking interpretations.
If you cannot attend live don't worry! All ticket holders will recieve a recording to the session.
Artists on the panel include:
Zahra Ammar
Zahra Ammar is a paper artist who loves to cut, fold and explore the endless possibilities of paper. She is also in a deep relationship with colors and pigments, creating artisanal watercolors with semiprecious minerals, foraged rocks and synthetic colors. Driving her inspiration from her love of hiking and reading, her work is an essay on florals and geometric patterns. Although paper is her main focus, she has extensive experience working with different paint mediums. Moreover, she has created murals in public and corporate places. She has experience working with art consultants for projects and collaborated with other artists for projects and installations. Works can be found at California Medical Association, Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health and Sutter Hospitals and many private collections around the world.
Ola Alanqar
Ola Alanqar is a Palestinian-Canadian interdisciplinary artist, designer, and obtained her Masters of Arts degree in Art History from the University of Toronto. As a mother of four, Ola understands how important it is for families to connect with their roots and develop a strong identity in today’s fast-changing world. Inspired by Arabic Calligraphy, Sacred Geometry, indigenous arts, and traditional methods of art making, Ola enjoys creating art pieces that aim to manifest the beauty of Islamic arts. Each painting comes as a celebration of a unique story that takes the audience back to the interconnection of the rich history and culture of the Islamic civilization, anchoring the heart and mind.
Ola enjoys using a wide array of mediums, including hand-made watercolours, inks, and shell-gold and finds joy in preparing papers using traditional natural methods. She continuously looks for innovative ways to widen her perspective in her artistic journey. She is working towards her “Ijaza,” or license in Arabic Calligraphy, according to the traditional Ottoman School.
Shaheen Ahmed
Shaheen Ahmed is an artist employing a range of media in her work including paper sculpture, Islamic Geometry, brush and inkwork for mark making, as well as textiles. Leaving school in Burnley, she did a diploma in art & design, worked in print, undertook a foundation in textiles and finally studied for a BSc in Art and Design. An early exhibition with Soni Gallery in London, Shaheen continued to exhibit and collaborate alongside raising her family. She sensitively carves out narratives of displacement within her practice. Her current work reflects on the world and how global ecologies and neighbourhoods are being impacted.