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Graffiti
often conjures up images of vandalism and urban decay. Mohammad
Ali's art challenges these assumptions by taking graffiti from the
walls to canvas. He fuses two very different artistic forms by drawing
on his faith and the energy of the street to create a style that
is uniquely western and Islamic.
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| Al
taweed - oneness of Allah |
"My
fascination with graffiti goes back to the early days. I remember
always doodling and sketching outlines. I couldn't connect with
the depressing lives that 'great' artists lived. Studying Van Gogh's
life wasn’t for me. I didn't want my art to drive me to that.
"I
needed something real, real to me, something that was within reach.
Aerosol paint was just what I needed. I could finally be the artist.
It didn’t matter to me if the art teacher approved or not.
I was doing my own thing. I would choose the colours and I drew
what I felt."
Mohammed
is from Kings Heath in Birmingham and at just 25 years of age he
is keen to inspire kids in Birmingham. He found his religion while
at university, and believes that mixing the street art of graffiti
with religion is a more succesful way for young people to connect
with their faith;
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| Salaam
- peace |
"Every
youth has admiration for graffiti and can connect with it. It's
a much more approachable artform - mix it with religion and you're
giving people back their faith too.
Far
from vandalising public property, Mohammed's graffiti-style art
is done as individual pieces using spray paint on canvas.
"Back
in the day if I'd have seen graffiti in Arabic I would have followed
my faith more - it would have inspired me. It seemed like religion
was for old folks, and I want to give it back to the kids."
"Going
back to the Qur'an I was struck by the sublime beauty of the Arabic
script. The very way the words were written was powerful and fluid
mirroring the strength of the message and its transcendent significance.
I wanted to paint again, but now my inspiration was the Arabic language."
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| Muhammed
- the name of the Prophet |
"Like
many young Muslims around me, I became drawn to Islam at University.
Feeling that I had neglected something very beautiful for far too
long. I considered using my art to reflect my faith. Islam too could
be slick, stylish and charismatic. The colours and shapes could
reflect the energy of the urban Muslim, living in the west."
Mohammed
wants to expand his artwork to clothing, and feels the universal
messages in his work such as 'peace' 'knowledge' and 'patience'
will be a succesful crossover into youth culture.
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| Dikhr
- rememberance |
He
hopes his graffiti art work will serve as a bridge between Islam
and the West and to encourage more young people to accept their
faith through this new kind of Islamic art.
"I
wanted to take an art form that belonged on the street and connect
with ordinary people through the divine meaning contained in the
book of Allah. be proud of your identity as a Muslim. Do it with
confidence."
Take
a look at some of Mohammed's amazing pictures in the gallery below;
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