Symbolism, Pattern, and Beauty in Islamic Art

After walking through the Beauty and Belief Islamic art exhibit, I felt edified and enlightened. I can honestly say I’ve never seen an Islamic art exhibit, but I’ve also never seen such an interestingly presented exhibit. The use of modern technology to enhance the ancient art was fascinating. I liked the iPads that listed all the names of God, and the moving projections on the walls. Those familiar things helped keep my interest while so many foreign things surrounded me. The thing that felt most foreign to me was the ancient Islamic writing. I’ve seen other art that uses symbols and repeating patterns, but the long scrolls with beautiful hand-painted characters made me feel like I was in another time and place.

As I thought about Islamic art versus Christian art, I noticed several differences but also a few similarities. Islamic art uses a lot of symbols, like birds and other animals, and so does some Christian art. I’ve seen several paintings where the Holy Ghost is depicted as a dove, or where a lamb is representative of Christ. These things seem similar to Islamic art. However, I don’t think Christian art uses geometric patterns the same way Islamic art does. My favorite piece in the exhibit was a long canvas with swirling words all over it. On the plaque beside the piece it said that the text was illegible, but that the pattern of the words gave it new meaning. It is interesting to me that the shape of the writing in this case was more meaningful than the actual words. The pattern had a kind of hypnotic effect, and perhaps symbolized eternal life or the patterns found throughout the natural world. I thought that was a beautiful way to express a reverence that perhaps words couldn’t quite express.

As I experienced the exhibit, I noticed certain things that I was drawn to. I loved the long scroll in the entryway, I admired the ancient prayer rugs with their intricate designs, and I was entranced by the swirling text piece. I think this is because I like patterns, but I don’t necessarily prefer predictable patterns. I think I like more naturally flowing shapes rather than shapes drawn with a straight edge and a compass. I think this tendency arises from my love of nature and natural shapes. I love mountains and trees, which are made up of patterns, but are also unpredictable and free flowing. I notice that more natural and intricate patterns are more relaxing to me, opposed to the rigid perfection of geometric shapes.