Arabesque
Stainless steel
2.4m height
Edition of 8
Arabesque
This sculpture reinterprets traditional Islamic geometric design in contemporary sculptural form. The geometric patterns in Islamic art were generally two dimensional (tiles, mosaics, engraving etc) or architectural. This work explores how these designs could be represented three dimensionally as a sculpture.
The pattern is taken from the Huand Hatun mosque in Kayseri, Turkey and would have originated approx in 1200AD. The geometric lattice as it is constructed of the repetition of the square motif and I have based the sculptural form on the cube repetition. Inspiration also came from The Bibi Khanum mosque, Samarkand, Uzbekistan which has a strong decorative feature of mosaic towering squares on the entrance wall.
The work is also intended to give a sense of balance and harmony, being delicate but strong, supporting and being supported – rising – celebrating spiritual aspiration.
The work can be illuminated at night with light fitting position.