The evolution of Arab art over centuries has led to new directions. Originally focused on Islamic geometric styles and calligraphy, Western influence in the 15th century introduced figurative works. Modern Arab artists embraced Western techniques in newly established art schools. This allowed expression of social and political issues as well as greater participation of women artists. Recent decades have seen Arab women take their art in directions touching on freedom, emancipation, and other challenges facing their societies.
The evolution of Art through the Ages- From Stone Age to Cubism
Evolution of Arab Art Overtime - M.Babar
1.
2.
3.
4. the
yet still uniformity of
expresses the patterns
spirituality. and
Rather than symmetry
Symbolic
confining
meanings
the mind
are absent
from
from
depictions,
"They made tilings that reflect
geometric mathematics that were so
designs. This open and
does not sophisticated that we didn't figure unrestrict
affront human
religious it out until the last 20 or 30
traditions intellect.
years.”
-Harvard Professor, Peter LU on Islamic art from
1200s
5. Developments of Arab
Art Throughout Time
Textile Fragment
5th Century, Byzantine
Panel
8th Century, Egypt
Leaf from Quran manuscript
1137
Tile Assemblage
13th Century, Turkey
6. Development (continued)
Door
14th Century, Egypt
Talismanic shirt
15th Century, India
Painting of construction of castle
15th Century, Persia
Painting of Emperor
17th Century
7. • As shown in the timeline, towards
the 15th century, there was a shift
in art, creeping away from the
geometric shapes and calligraphy
and focusing more on figurative
art.
• European artists such as Gentile
Bellini (1429-1507) influenced
Turkish artists and eventually Arab
artists.
• Although the geometric shapes The Healing of Pietro dei
and calligraphy are still prevalent, Ludovici
Western exposure led to the -Gentile Bellini, 1501
8. The Islamic ban on figurative images was due to the strong
worship of idols at the time by non-Muslims.
As idolatry faded, pictures of humans were not deemed
offensive to Islamic law leading to a strong adoption of
Western art in the East.
Western nations also gained political control over the Arab
world, which led to exposure of Western art in Arab
countries.
Orientalists artwork was the first type of Western art exposed
to the Arabs.
In addition to the Orientalists, the Ottoman military trained
their soldiers in modern military schools in Istanbul. The
9. A New Direction
While the influence the Western artists had on Arabs should
not be undervalued, it was primarily those who were educated
in the newly established art schools who made up the first
generation of modern Arab artists.
Those amateur artists had a strong impact in Iraq and Syria,
where the impression of the Orientalist painters occurred after
World War I.
New educational policies allowed art classes to be available
for all Arab youth. Previously only the upper class citizens
could afford the training from European artists.
10. A New Direction
(continued)
During the 1950s Arab artists began to be influenced
by modern art movements through stronger
communication with the West and the return of Arab
artists who received education from Western art
schools. It was then when Arab artists became more
independent and broke away from Orientalist styles.
Arab artists primary goal was to re-define their identity.
To do so, they re-presented their history, Islamic and
pre-Islamic. Their pre-Islamic heritage was concealed
due to Islamic rule so this process actually presented
new ideas.
11. Gradual Transitions
Newly formed art groups
represented a social movement,
focusing on political, social and
intellectual issues at the time.
In 1938 the Egyptian group, Art &
Freedom was founded and affected
by World War II as well as opposition
against the British and Egyptian
government. This prompted a
revolution amongst artists, rejecting
fascist art and adopting Surrealism.
Following Art & Freedom, many
other art groups emerged such as
the Baghdad Modern Art Group in
1951 who adopted the Western
Jawad Salim, founder of Baghdad Art Group
training they received with
Baghdadiat (Two Women) - 1957 several contemporary styles.
12. Turning the Page
Artists and groups of the 1950s and 1960s were for the most part
independent and focused on their own projects. As the 1970s
approached Arab artists felt it was necessary to communicate
more and combine their efforts. Short after, Arab governments
intervened and demanded “authenticity”, which restricted artists
to experiment with new styles. The political uncertainty led artists
to move West.
Starting in the 1990s art centers were established in order for
Arab artists to network and increase exposure to the art world.
13. Step Away from
Islamic Style
The more recent Arab artists expressed their ideas,
emotions, and visions originated from contemporary
Arab cultures. Therefore the modern and
contemporary art painted by Arab artists is not a
perseverance or revival of Islamic art. Instead it is a
portrayal of a new type of self expression.
Being confined to Islamic art narrowed down Arabs
artists’ opportunity to express their creativity.
Arab artists were entering a period they were defining
their identity right after a liberation. At the same time
there was ambiguity in regards to their culture, history
and tradition.
14. Development of Arab Art
(Part 2)
Naziha Salim
Abdul Qadir One Nights
Rassam Dream - 1978
1930s
Mahmoud
Said
Sunset on Dia al-Azzawi
The Nile Hurufiyah Garden
at Luxor -1984
1945
Ismail
Shammout
Where To -
1953
Laila Shalwa
Celcius - 1992
15. A New Chapter
As Arab art shied away from Islamic aesthetics, artists
expressed themselves on a more personal level. For
example there was a greater focus on political and
social subject matter as well as topics that would not
have been deemed acceptable by Islamic standards.
Arab women also took advantage of the chance to
express themselves, an opportunity that was never
given before.
16. Arabs In Todays Society
In more recent years, here in the West, one of the last
things you’ll hear coming out of the Middle-East is art.
During a period where the Middle-East is surrounded
by war, political corruption, and poverty, art is
beginning to shed a new light on everything. At a time
where some sort of revolution from the people is
greatly needed, some Arab artists are beginning to take
their art into a new direction.
The evolution of art has also resulted in letting Arab
women express themselves in a new way as well. This
new wave of artists are delivering messages with their
artwork that touch Muslims and Arabs across the
world, touching on issues such as freedom of speech,
social justice, and emancipation.
17. Marya Kazoun
"After a bomb
explodes,
destroying a
building, the area is
cleared. Then the
empty space
becomes a parking
lot.”
"Then land values
rise and another
building is
constructed on the
site. It is a non-stop
cycle of Glasstress Exhibition
destruction and
reconstruction.”
18. Walid Siti
"The river is al-
Zab, a tributary
of the river in
Dijla.”
"The red ribbons
hint at the
terrible things
that have
happened in
Iraq.”
Wounded Water
-Walid Siti, Iraq
19. Ghada Amer
"I started doing it for myself. I
wanted to break my own barrier, not
the barriers of the West or the
Muslim world. Everybody loves to
see me as a Muslim, but they don't
see it's not about Islam, it's about
something else. I'm not trying to
shock, it's not perverse, I'm not
doing this with a political agenda. It
just happens that I'm Muslim and a
woman.”
"I liked the idea of representing
women through the medium of
thread because it is so identified
with femininity. I wanted to 'paint' a
-Ghada Amer
woman with embroidery, too.”
20. Rose Issa
Vailed Liberty
-AES Art Group
"The events of September 11 made
people notice that they know
nothing about the Middle East or its
culture."
"There is a revival of a new
generation who want to express
themselves and have found a means
either through the internet or digital
video cameras. They are finding a
much more accessible way of
making themselves known to others.
Also they are more aware of the
funds and sponsorship available in
the west.”
-Rosa Issa, Irani-Lebanese critic and
curator has played a large role in
21. More Work By Women Arab Artists
Untitled
-Jananne Al-Ani, Iraq
“Pleasure Pillars” “Speechless”
Shazia Sikander -Shirin Neshat
22. Conclusion
The way Arab art has evolved over time is mind blowing. As the centuries
turned, so did the direction of Arab art. Initially adopting the style of Islamic art, modern
and contemporary artists took a page out of the Western art world’s notebook. Although
the calligraphy and geometric shapes are still rather prominent in Arab countries,
modern artists chose a more contemporary approach.
As time went on Western influence grew and many Arab artists immigrated
West allowing them to embrace their culture and nationality with their artwork, not just
religion. With no limits on their subject matter, modern Arab artists focused on several
issues such as politics, freedom, gender and more.
This allowed Arab women to express themselves as well which started a whole
new revolution. In recent years times have been difficult for Arab countries due to
political unrest, war, and poverty. The new direction women Arab artists are took in
expressing themselves ignited a much needed revolution for women and Arabs.
23. Bibliography
Arab Art as an Early Indicator of Revolution
By Aida Alami
October 5,2011
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/06/world/africa/arab-art-as-an-early-indicator-of-revolution.html?_r=1&ref=design
Strong Showing for Arab Artists at Venice Biennale
By Sylvia Smith
September 6, 2011
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-14580858
The New Generation of Arab Women Artists
By Malu Halasa
March 28, 2003
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2003/mar/29/art.iraqandthearts
Geometric Patterns In Islamic Art
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/geom/hd_geom.htm
Modern Arab Art: Formation of Arab Aesthetics (book)
By Nada M. Shabout
Published October 7, 2007