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Seeker of knowledge This piece is undoubtedly a very personal piece of the artist, and
her very first painting of Islamic art and an original. The
inspiration behind this piece comes from the understanding that
Allah has manifested His Attributes within His creation, and in this
instance it is His hidden light. There is a hidden image behind the
main image and it is for the seeker of knowledge to discover this.
There are the three stages of discovering the knowledge.
For the outsider, they will first perceive the main image which to
the ordinary eye will appear as roughly the shape of a boat with a
mast, and that is all they will see. However, as one professes the
faith of Islam, the believer is enlightened with knowledge of the
Creator therefore he or she will see beyond the image of the “boat”
and actually see the words Allah, thereby reflecting that whether
animate or inanimate Allah’s Presence is manifested in all
things; “Allah disdaineth not to use the similitude of a gnat…” as
all belongs to Him. But the final stage belongs to seekers of
Knowledge and Truth who are the favourite of the Creator. There
mission for Truth enlightens them to see not only beyond the boat,
but then beyond the words Allah, and glimpse the hidden word Allah
painted in Light. The painting reveals the hidden image in dark.
This final realisation invites the observer to reflect that all
vision is possible because of Light. Behind all perception and
vision of creation is the presence of Allah’s Attributes manifested
in different ways, in this instance it is Al Noor. This painting
has “glow” qualities which add another dimension in the dark. |
