‘In Praise’ at Belvoir Art Gallery
Recently, I was honoured to be part of a stunning ensemble of Islamic art and poetry. I am talking about the "In Praise" exhibition held in March at the Belvoir Art Gallery in Leicester, curated by the extraordinary talented Shazia Rashida Osman who goes by her middle name Rashida.
I can't say I have been to an exhibition curated by a Muslim woman before showcasing the beauty of Islam through its intricate body of art. But this wasn't just one woman's work; a plethora of Muslim women's work adorned the exhibition space from Muslim female artists from Derby, Nottingham and London to name a few.
"In Praise", in the context of Islam means to glorify, exalt, adore, and honour. The artist's work thus created as a form of worship in praise of the Divine. No surprise then that the first words in the glorious book, the Qur'an, in the opening verse - Al Fatiha is Hamd — all praise.
Rashida is very modest about her work and described herself as an "artist in the attic" when she was at the early stages of her art career. Whether she has moved on from the attic to a studio space, one cannot help admire the beautifully textured story telling her work brings within the individual pieces of her art work.
‘A Mother's Heart’ by Shazia Rashida Osman. Photo by Ria Siddiqui.
Take the mixed media collage wrapped canvas, titled "A Mother's Heart". The Arabic calligraphy for those who can read it instantly recognise the words "Allah, is sufficient for me". But which story in the Qur'an tells of a mother's heart ache? It is none other than the story of Musa/Moses whose mother has to make a desperate decision to separate from her baby boy, in order to keep him free from harm. She does this by placing him in a basket and letting it sail on water. Something which no mother should have to do, but a mother's desperation and love is sacredly symbolised. Through the strike of her wavering paintbrush, the harsh waves take shape and the specs of gold circles almost jewel like exude light— perhaps a metaphor of a guardian angel(s) protecting the little boy.
Islamic art is rich in colour, texture and I was more often than not drawn close the intricacy of geometric designs. One cannot help wonder, how the piece titled "Devoted in Chaos" came together? The clue is in the title I guess; a great deal of devotion and steadfastness no doubt is required. Geometry is a common theme in Islamic art and you will often find books and coverings of various surfaces filled with geometric patterns. This art work is saying more than just patterns to me. It is asking me to ponder over each section to the pattern, how it overlaps and flows like a river into the next and creating this overall seamless marvellous design of perfection—perhaps even alluding to the creator and his awesome design of the universe.
What really inspired me is, that some of the featured artists are self-taught and their journey's stem back to their early teen years. By way of example take Sabah Anwar who is mesmerised by the mathematical precision required to create such convoluted patterns. Having a career as a mathematician and chemist complements her art perfectly.
The exhibition also included an evening of inspirational and uplifting poetry, an open mic night hosted by poet, Amrin Razak. Each poet came with words of praise and what an evening it was. I was honoured to have been given the task of inaugurating the evening with a small piece titled—"Small Remembrance".
Decorate your tongue
With His remembrance,
Dress the heart so love comes clean.
Love Him, love Him alone.
Douse your eyes with rose water, smell
the scent of sweet heaven trickling.
The ocean recedes little by little
a moment of calm, a moment
of praise.
©poetrybsyheenapoetrybyname
Poetry and storytelling is central to Islam and has been for centuries. As well as seeking knowledge which was a central part of the Arab culture, and preserving it was just as important. Often great religious poets took to verse such as Hassan Ibn Thabit, reciting great odes on various subjects often full of lyrical praise.
The evening on this very special night dedicated to poetry in praise of the divine was no short of praise, I can assure you. Poets like Sabiha Musa came with a sonnet, exampling the everyday things we do, such as waking up and forgetting to be in praise of the Almighty for gifting us with such favours in the first place. By the close of the evening, all the featured poets were in praise of each other.
In conclusion, it was a serene and strikingly curated exhibition. As I walked the hallways of the gallery space, I almost forgot I was in Leicester. Instead I was immersed in a civilisation of intergenerational art and poetry which will no doubt continue for a long time.
To find out more about the exhibition and to see if further copies of the programme booklet can be obtained please email Shazia at rashidaarts11@gmail.com
