Islamic Art Research

Today we have been given a randomly selected subject to research. I am going to be researching Islamic Art.

Description

Islamic Art is the term used to define art produce in areas inhabited by an Islamic Population. I have not found a specific definition of this art and from what I have read it is very difficult to because of the large amount of art that has been produced in many Islamic areas over an enormous time period. It does not just encompass religious works. However, it does encompass any art that uses art traditions found in Muslim Culture. One of these traditions is the use of calligraphy in art.
Calligraphy is a prominent art form because of its meaning to Islam. It has a meaning of high status. It has a popular use in architecture as a decoration. 
Islamic Art is supposed to express more than just form and physicality. It is used to portray meaning and the nature of the art.

(Islamic Arts Magazine, 2014)

A brief history

Islamic Art is thought to have began around the beginning of the religion of Islam. Most of the earliest art created was ceramics and architecture. As time progressed, Islamic Art was influenced by different cultures and the art from them. The art found its way into textiles quite early on. Silks were a very popular style. It was around this early period that Calligraphy began to be used in art, mostly in pottery.
In the middle ages as Islam spread, textiles, woodwork, glasswork, metalwork and architecture are just some of the popular art forms that became incorporated into Islamic Art. Gold works, while less notable, also had there moments of popularity. Book painting also began to appear in this time. Many new techniques were discovered and used in Islamic Art throughout this period.
Since this time all of these areas of art have advanced and textiles have also gained popularity, such as carpets.





(Tanya Singh, 2015)

My take on the art

From what I have seen so far Islamic Art is all about symmetry and repeating patterns. I noticed that a lot of Islamic Art incorporates nature, usually flowers, and calligraphy. Mosaics, textiles and architecture seem to be the most popular styles of Islamic art. There isn't much of a range of colour in the art. A quick Google of Islamic Art returns images that mostly consist of blues, yellows and greens. The majority contain yellow as a major colour. I can't say that I like it but when the art is put into partnership with the environment and architecture of Islamic areas it's hard to say it doesn't work. While I might not like the common appearance of this art, I do like some of the modern takes on this art. They have more colour variety and it is more varied in style, there is less symmetry but the basic rules and ideals of the art are still present. There is  a large amount of calligraphy used in the modern pieces.
The style of Islamic art is very distinctive and means that you can instantly recognize Islamic Art. I think this is quite a unique aspect. There aren't many types of art that can you identify from a glance. 




(Mitchell Owens, Photo:Gordon Mills/Alamy, 2012)

References

Islamic Arts Magazine.Šurković, K. (2014, April 10). 'Testimonial Verses', Islamic Calligraphy Masterpieces.
Retrieved from: http://islamicartsmagazine.com/magazine/view/testimonial_verses_islamic_calligraphy_masterpieces/

Artist At Work Productions.
Singh, T. (2015, February 21). Iconoclastic Islamic Art.
Retrived from:
https://aawproductions.wordpress.com/2015/02/21/iconoclastic-islamic-art/

Architectural Digest.Owens, M. (2012, March 31). The Aesthete: Exploring Geometric Patterns in Islamic Art.Retrieved from:
http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/geometric-patterns-islamic-art