THE ISLAMIC CALIPHATES
2016
The work explores the history of the Islamic empires in relation to the development of the arts and crafts of the time, specifically focusing on the art of Quranic illumination. Stemming from the artists own training to obtain an ijaza (illumination master) this series combines Awartani’s interest in progressional, process revealing works with her traditional technique to express the development and evolution of Quranic manuscripts throughout history. The work unfolds over six panels and explores how each of the historical civilizations have contributed to this art form, building out from an illuminated core in layers. This piece also dually depicts the geographical expansion of the religion of Islam over time, starting from the gold circle which represents the birth of the religion in the Hejaz, all the way through to its peak which spans from the far East across to Europe which is portrayed in the final ‘shamsa’.
Each of the designs used throughout the different stages of the artwork, directly correlate with the style of illumination that was invented at the time. Portraying the evolution of this art form from being practically non-existent in the 7th century, mainly due to the fact that there was the fear of allowing anything to intrude upon the holy text of the Quran, and finally resulting in some of the highly decorative masterpieces you find in the later Islamic empires.
The presenting of these different styles beside one another is also a way to express the universality and highly diverse elements that not only make up the art of Illumination but furthermore is a reflection of the Islamic civilization as a whole, the idea of ‘Tawhid”, or unity within multiplicity which in essence is the core principal of Islam.
The Islamic Caliphates, 2016, Shell gold, gold leaf, ink and gouache on paper, 8 pieces – 60 x 60cm each. © Dana Awartani
