Beauty of the Middle East and North Africa
Visual Arts Challenge

Whether it’s design, technique, content, or style, visual arts are another wonderful way to communicate and celebrate culture and heritage. In the Middle East and North Africa, religion has had profound influences on the arts and inspired entirely unique styles of Islamic Art and architecture. Beyond religion, the materials and environments of the region have also shaped the development of unique methods and forms of visual arts. Paying tribute to the geography and culture of the region, this challenge invites you explore and attempt one of the following popular forms of visual arts from the MENA region:

Islamic Geometric Designs

Commonly thought to represent the beautiful complexity of the world brought to order by Allah, this intricate melding of geometric and mathematical designs is found in mosaics, paintings, and architecture throughout the region.

Resources:

The Art of Islamic Pattern (click here)
Tutorial video for drawing geometric patterns by hand (click here)
Tutorial to make geometric patterns in Adobe Illustrator (click here)

Challenge: Create your own 8x11 geometric design using either the paper template provided or Adobe Illustrator tutorial. Share your final design along with comments about the experience on the “Visual Arts” Discussion board and complete the Post-Project Survey.

Arabic Calligraphy and Tughras

The inherently artistic Arabic script is perfect for creating incredibly delicate and detailed styles of calligraphy. So much so that Ottoman rulers used calligraphy to create personal seals with Arabic signatures called Tughras.

Resources:

Metropolitan Museum of Art essay on Islamic Calligraphy (click here)
Tughra Style Reference (click here)
Arabic Calligraphy Generator (click here)

Challenge: Use the online generator to write your name in Arabic, then use markers, paint, or whatever medium you like to embellish the design to create your own calligraphy inspired Tughra signature seal. Share your Tughra along with comments about the experience on the “Visual Arts” Discussion board and complete the Post-Project Survey

Arabesque Stained Glass

During the Golden Age of Baghdad, the entire region became famous for its mastery of glass—particularly the creation of vibrant geometric stained-glass windows. This artform combines the Islamic symbolism of geometric patterns with the region’s Roman legacy of glassmaking and local craftsmanship.

Resources:

Brief History of Islamic stained glass (click here)
Tutorial for creating your own faux-stained glass (click here)

Challenge: Following the tutorial above, use colored markers and transparency sheets (Or wax paper) to create your own 8x11 Arabesque inspired faux-stained glass window. Share your “glass” window (ideally with light coming through it) along with comments about the experience on the “Visual Arts” Discussion board and complete the Post-Project Survey.

Turkish Ebru

(Paper Marbling)

Representing the MENA region’s often forgotten connections with Asia, this historic painting technique famous in Turkey is greatly influenced by Chinese and Japanese arts. Using water, ink, and paper, this artform creates beautifully fluid and dynamic designs.

Resources:

Brief introduction and history of ebru painting (click here)
Video tutorial for creating ebru at home two different ways (click here)

Challenge: After watching the tutorials, create your own ebru paper marbling painting. Share your final product along with comments about the experience on the “Visual Arts” Discussion board and complete the Post-Project Survey.

Pre-Historic Rock Art Story Telling

Some of the earliest visual arts in the region are quite literally written in stone: rock art. Often telling a narrative or story, these pictographs and petroglyphs offer a unique snapshot of life in pre-historic Arabia and north Africa.

Resources:

The Metropolitan Museum of Art essay on North African Symbology (click here)
The British Museum introduction to North African rock art (click here)

Challenge: Share a snapshot of your life using symbols and figures by creating your very own rock art panel with either sidewalk chalk (pictograph) or “pecking” out designs on paper with a larger marker (petroglyph). Share your finished faux-rock art along with comments about the experience on the “Visual Arts” Discussion board and complete the Post-Project Survey.

Modern Artist Biography

Although it is still widely under-appreciated, the world of modern and contemporary arts in the Middle East is thriving -- often displaying vibrant colors, addressing complex topics, and inspiring conversations of identity and humanity. If you love and appreciate visual arts but aren't too keen on attempting it yourself, this is a great option for you.

Resources:

Christie's Auction House Guide to Middle Eastern Contemporary Art (click here)
Barjeel Art Foundation Homepage (click here)

Challenge: Find a visual artist from the MENA region, new or famous, and learn more about them. Post a picture of their work on the "Visual Arts" discussion board with a brief bio on the artist including a statement on why you chose them/how their work speaks to you and complete the Post-Project Survey.

Beauty of the Middle East and North Africa Visual Arts Challenge

Islamic Geometric Designs

Arabic Calligraphy and Tughras

Arabesque Stained Glass

Turkish Ebru

(Paper Marbling)

Pre-Historic Rock Art Story Telling

Modern Artist Biography

Beauty of the Middle East and North Africa
Visual Arts Challenge