emöfine2: Art is an important pairing in religion. In fact art is an important tool period; a tool used to highlight another subject.

I've always been intrigued by Islamic art - not only because of the prohibition of any depiction of Allah or the prophet (which has left Islam with no figure illustrations) which is actually unique in a religion but I'm amazed by the decorative designs and patterns. It appears so simple yet so intricate. Even the Arabic script is pretty artistic.

However I doubt these patterns I see in Islamic art are random or meaningless. I wonder what inspired them, what do these patterns convey or mean?

How is art regarded in Islam? Is Islamic art tied to a particular culture? Any Muslim artists one can recommend or even examples of Islamic art?

In terms of architecture, the islamic art would be depicted by the structures of mosques which despite being in different shapes and sizes are almost all d time characterised by minarets and domes. When this practice startted, I dont know of. But a combination of both in a place sure signifies a mosque, or something Muslim or Islamic.

Other symbols very much attributed to Islam are the crescent and star. I have heard these have their origin in Malaysia(but not sure of it). The moon is significant in Islam as you must have known that some acts of worship are subject to the sighting of the moon. What the stars signify I dont know.

Generally, there is nothing spiritual about the symbols. Deciding to use or not use them has nothing to do with faith and Muslims, especially organizations have coined different logos from the most known ones. For example my Muslim primary school has the kaabah and a minaret as its logo and others might just use the crescent and the stars. The hijab has also been used as a logo or symbol of Islam. Flags too, with arabic letterings of varying meanings.

^Can you post pictures of some of this Islamic Art? So that we have an idea of the things you like so much and move from there.

maclatunji: ^The pictures you have posted so far have no meaning outside being expressions of the artist. Like you said earlier, Islam frowns at drawing animals (including humans) . Hence, things like flowers, shapes and patterns from nature as well as the artists imagination do reflect in Islamic art. Post more of the things you like, let's see.

Sweetnecta: that artist seem to me like a renegade by the writing on sole if nothing else express the subtle ideology he/she holds.

writing on faces, is like defacing or debasing the human essence or the soul of the subject, in the case the woman.
the artist may be expressing the hardship she/he feels that the nation of his/her blood put women in.

The subjects of art; women faces, women body parts, child arms, all seem to express sorrow, some regrets or oppression.

But why write religious scripts on the sole of feet or the fingers that seem to silence the lips?

tbaba1234: Muslims did make such sculptures, though. Islam spread quickly across a vast area..... From China to spain....So It is not uncommon to see expressions of art that are not traditionally islamic in nature.

emöfine2: I’m a huge fan of henna art. Is it a Muslim thing though? Or are the countries that practise this art just happen to be predominantly Muslim?

I guess there are cultural references in this art however.

tbaba1234: What do you mean mediums??

emöfine2:

Basically the materials used to convey the art i.e clay, paint.

maclatunji:

As far as I know, Henna is permissible in Islam. A wife is allowed to use it to dazzle her husband anyway.

tbaba1234: Henna is used by different people: the root of the name is Arabic so it probably originated from the Arabs.....

emöfine2:

Hmm not too sure if it originated from the Arabs. Some cultures practiced this art for a long time but maybe Muslims call it henna because Arabic is the lingua franca of Islam.

emöfine2: I wonder how the art is in Northern Nigeria.

Do you have to be a Muslim to depict Islamic art?


Sahelian Architecture is amazing.


Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali:

emöfine2: I’m a huge fan of henna art. Is it a Muslim thing though? Or are the countries that practise this art just happen to be predominantly Muslim?

I guess there are cultural references in this art however.

deols:

I can only say that the henna is mentioned in the traditions of the prophet. He encouraged women to do it.

In some countries, the henna you wear and how you wear it says something about you. mare mere looking at your henna, someone might be able to tell if you'r married or not.

Men do henna too. ?

emöfine2: I wonder how the art is in Northern Nigeria.

Do you have to be a Muslim to depict Islamic art?

deols: Men do henna too. ?

deols: the writings on the face above seems like photoshop to me.

tpia@:


was this your reason for duplicating the topic?

do you feel too big to post on the other thread or what exactly.

I dont talk am say na bad belle go finish una.

tpia@:


was this your reason for duplicating the topic?

do you feel too big to post on the other thread or what exactly.

I dont talk am say na bad belle go finish una.