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Art of the Divine

Two internationally acclaimed artists are joining forces for the first time to showcase their interpretation of Islamic art.

BBC Radio Lancashire is proud to announce a very special exhibition combining the creative geniuses of British Muslims - Sabah Arbilli and Shahida Ahmed.

The theme is traditional art showing beauty and amalgamating two styles from two artists displaying authentic originality and a contemporary interpretation of Islamic art.

An example of Sabah Bapir's work

Sabah Arbilli is a renowned international Islamic British calligrapher who has won many international awards for his works.

This will be his debut exhibition in the North West of England, his works capture the originality of the sacred art, after 15 years of practice he is one of the youngest calligraphers in this field.

Sabah who originates from Iraq and moved to the UK in 2000, each stroke is a fusion of beauty, sacred traditional art which shows perfection, articulation, and rhythm. He reaches perfection of his letters with great accuracy after years of training. The harmony between letters in the compositions he makes shows connection with the originality of unique traditional art forms in calligraphy.

Another piece of Sabah's calligraphy

Burnley born Shahida Ahmed is recognised as the first Muslim female ceramic artist born in the UK from Pakistani heritage. Her works have been showcased throughout the world and Shahida’s new work sees her exploring paint as well as ceramic.

She is continually drawn to the spiritual allowing the door of perception to open naturally, revealing innate beauty and tranquility.

Each stroke is a metaphor, expressing timeless wisdom which captures a reality unseen, and only truly observed by the divine heart. Influenced by Rumi, travels to Istanbul, Morocco and Pakistan, her new work features the mesmerizing whirling Dervish series as well as her new ceramics and beautiful gold leaf adorned Bismillah paintings.

The exhibition will start in March, at BBC Radio Lancashire on Darwen Street in Blackburn. Start date to be confirmed but there is a special preview night in the Radio Theatre on Darwen Street, Blackburn on Friday 13th March at 6.30pm.

last updated: 12/03/2009 at 16:46
created: 17/02/2009

Have Your Say

blackburn boy
i just saw this link what beautiful work? Cannot believe we have such good local Talent

admirer
what fanatastic works! I really like the calligraphy and the whirling dervishes. Its nice to see some good diverse work in Blckburn.......well done guys!!!

John
a good theme used to show traition and culture

Jonathon
I am not a great fan of cultural art, but this work is an exception. It is very relaxing to see and makes you feel calm and peaceful. Somehow it has rhythm in it. The letters and the dervish show movement to a different dimension

Alison
You know its nice to appreciate artists who are talented. I wish I was creative.

David
The calligraphy work looks awesome, what does it say? Can he write anything you ask?

Syma
A good demonstration of art of high standards. Pleasing to see such talent in BLackburn. Is Shahids the artist who makes things in clay?

Jabbar
Excellent work you guys!!! From an artist friend. Keep it up

halima bibi
what beautiful work by shahida and sabah,i hope you make lots more and wish i cud buy some?

long
good art

Asgar kha
What both Sabah and Shahida bring you is an instant visual experience,demonstrating sheer wisdom ands knowledge,blending two different intricate mediums of expression through the mastery of colour,composition of style.Shahida creates radiance through embracing spirit,penetrating the very fabric of concious awareness.There is mystery in the movement in "The whirling dervish series".A close examination of her work,one witnessesa depth which carries a kind of magnetism which creates a vaccum within the heart space and causes ripples of divine intoxication.Sabah in turn is like the whispering alchemist who unites the ethers of the unseen and creates his sinature pieces with symbolic mastership.His craft is technical with flowering beauty,his precise and well executed strokes are designed to give the seer a taste for truth.

zoe
oh fantastic work both of you are u both married or work partners

Joseph Stone
The exhibition looks really good, i wish i could understand more about this art. Meeting the people who made the work would benefit my understanding

Talat
I think it is an opportunity to see aspace with works by two artist who contribute strongly to promoting our youngers into art and design

Lynne Wood
Extremely impressive work and talented individuals.I would like to know more about the calligraphy and the whirling dervishes about the history and meaning(where could you get that info from)

bilal
i would like to see more work in maybe a blue colour? where is the calligraphy images?

Christine
this work reminds me of when i went to Istanbul and saw these whirlers peforming. Nicely captured !

Abdullah
This work is of very high standard. I saw it today when i was parking my car and made an effort to go inside the BBC. It was very relxing and soothing to the eye. I am looking forward to see more onformation about the artist and their backgrounds

Rabia
i saw this work outside the gallery and i was extremely thrilled to bits, its nice to see good work by muslim artist in blackburn. Hope we will see sum more stuff

Anas
The theme is traditional art showing beauty and amalgamating two styles from two artists displaying authentic originality and a contemporary interpretation of Islamic art.Good works Sabah and Shahida hope to see some more

Shabnam
Two great artist with amazing work excellent to see this and welcome to Blackburn with it

Jamila
I read the comments and was about to write something when Katie's comment caught my eye. I dont understand clearly her point. Two artist showing of works to an audience, where in Islam is that prohibited. Katie must know more about Islam before making imature comments. Islam allows us to share works and work alongside men, it is people like her who cause problems due to their ignorance and start stirring up comments. As a Muslim woman I am rather proud someone has taken an innative to show some art inspired by their spirituality- In the form of EXPRESSION!!!!!!!!! I think the work is nice and the calligraphy beautiful.The whirling devishes caought my eye when i walked pass this morning. Katei-STOP being negative!!

Ahmed
Kmisunderstands that this is an exhibition of two artists, one male and female. Its about ''islamic art'' and not about relations. I cant believe how narrow minded people can be when we should be supporting artists who are taking initiatives to show works they are doing?? Katie why dont do come to the preview and open ask this question becoz I wud like to answer it for you.

Katie
Are these 2 artists representing islam in the true form? If they are then someone should question their relations with each other to hide any embarassment.

sandra
what a combination of 2 artists, will they visit other places in the uk?

andileep
whow!!!! this is fab work exciting and really good, cant wait to see it

misba
nice to be able to see talented artsists showing our beautiful art

Pete
When is the exhibition?

Natalie
Where is the pictures of the calligraphy work ?

Milly
i like the people dancing in the pictures they look cool

Yvonne
fantastic works and about time we had some exciting artists

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