Effort

This piece combines two different branches of traditional Turkish arts, illumination and calligraphy, and reflects a collaborative effort between two master artists. Master calligrapher Sahof Almustafa’s calligraphic text reads ‘’Er-rızku a’l Allah’’ (the Arabic for: Allah is the One who determines our rizq or sustenance). It is a common phrase used in Hüsn-i Hat that is usually written on a plaque and displayed, especially in workplaces and shops, as a continuous prayer for sustenance. Artist Gülcan Acar used the art of illumination for its intended purpose, framing and decorating the calligraphic writing with the zencerek pattern (braided ribbon / chain pattern). She created an original frame-like pattern that highlights the text by combining different motifs and stylized flowers. These patterns, which are drawn in geometrical order, are intended to represent strips of the same thickness that appear as though they are knitted. The artist has also used the traditional Tezhip technique with the Rumi pattern, which is one of the most popular motifs in Tezhip art.

Hüsn-i Hat (Calligraphy): Sahof Almustafa

Materials:

23 Carat Red Gold, Gouache and Acrylic Painting on Paperboard

Dimensions:

40 x 60 cm (without a frame)

* This particular artwork is featured in the ‘The Noble: Traditional Turkish Arts Exhibition’. The exhibition can be viewed at the Yunus Emre Institute’s gallery in Fitzrovia between the 28th of November and the 21st of December 2022.

Exhibition Venue: 10 Maple Street, W1T 5HA

londra@yee.org.tr

Free Admission but registration*** is required via Eventbrite!

https://thenoble.eventbrite.co.uk/