Arab poets composed many poems about Hajj in their pursuit of this spiritual journey full of radiance and beauty. But poets were not lonely. There are many artists around the world inspired by this rite, creating their own works of art every day – paintings that speak of strong desire to visit the Holy House. Nowadays, with the development of mass media and communications, the circumambulation around the venerable Kaaba is broadcast to various parts of the world and this is indeed a source of inspiration and hope for many people, since this event is filled with spirituality, love, peace, tolerance and human unity.
Zanzibar artist, Sediqa Jumaa, who lives in the UK, is now one of the world’s leading artists and illustrators. She has won a number of international awards, including the Leonardo Da Vinci International Prize. Sediqa specializes mainly in contemporary Islamic art, graphic design and animation.
‘Kaaba’ is one of the most important artistic themes for her, especially the moment when pilgrims gather from all over the world and circumambulate around the First Mosque. The artist always highlights that Hajj is a source of inspiration for her art. She is fascinated by the sight of millions of worshippers who circle the Kaaba ‘like stars in a galaxy’.
Although the artist had not yet been to Mecca when she created her paintings about Hajj and the Holy Kaaba, she has painted a lot of pictures on this subject. This is why her works carry a lot of passion and longing. She longs to go on this journey and all the elements on the canvas are irresistibly drawn towards the Holy City. This burning desire inside her has given the work a new direction that differs from the tradition of classical Islamic art. There is much that is personal and intimate. ‘My paintings have literally brought me to Mecca. It was very emotional time,’ Sediqa Jumaa noted.
The artist’s works are characterized by successive layers of bright colors, repeating patterns and intricate calligraphy that resemble ancient ornate Qurans, which now can be found in various museums around the world.
Paintings about Hajj and the Holy Kaaba carry the mysteries of cosmic beauty. ‘You see people, and I see shining stars,’ the artist explains. Followers of Islam are united by their vocation and submission to the Great Creator, and the author of the paintings tells us this through her artistic techniques.
Sediqa expressed her art in a unique way, since her works are usually conceptual and abstract.
Sediqa is the first Muslim publisher in Great Britain. She has made educational animated series, released books and textbooks on the Arabic language and organized children’s TV programs.
Sediqa’s pictures are displayed at art exhibitions around the world, with a focus on Arab and Islamic countries. Earlier this year, Dubai hosted an exhibition organized by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) titled ‘Journey’. There the artist presented 10 innovative contemporary paintings on the theme of Hajj.
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Photo: Citizen59/Creative Commons 2.0 (adapted material)