Khairat Al-Saleh

Khairat Al-Saleh, born in Jerusalem and educated in Syria and Egypt, is a noted painter in the Hurufiyya movement and a ceramicist, glassmaker and printmaker.

Khairat Al-Saleh
Born1940
Jerusalem
NationalitySyrian-British
EducationUniversity of Wales, Swansea (English literature)
Known forPainter, poet, author
MovementHurufiyya movement
WebsiteKhairatSaleh

Life and career

Khairat Al-Saleh was born in Jerusalem in 1940.[1] She was educated at the University of Wales Swansea, where she studied English literature and poetry and works as a ceramist,[2] glassmaker, printmaker and painter living between England and Syria.[3] She is noted for her use of calligraphy and miniatures. Inspired by Arab and Islamic art, she experimented with the art of illuminated manuscripts,[4] arabesque and geometric design in her paintings, prints and ceramics.

As a poet, her work is closely linked to illumination, illustration and the art of the book. Nevertheless, in her art she also explored the liberating effects of water color techniques, even digital art. She trained as a printmaker and ceramist in Richmond, but she is mainly self-taught as an artist. She has exhibited in London, several times at Leighton House Museum, and in many European and Arab countries.[5] Presently she is producing works of art and writing under a pen name in Britain. She has also published a book which was translated to many languages, entitled Fabled Cities, Princes and Jinn from Arab Myths and Legends.[6]

As a visual artist, Al Saleh works in ceramics, glass, prints and paintings (watercolours and gouache).[7] All her work reflects her Arabic identity. The art historian, Wijdan Ali, classifies her paintings as belonging to the Neoclassical style within the Hurufiyya movement which means that she follows the rules of calligraphy established by 13th-century Sufi calligraphers.[8]

Work

Al-Saleh's work is held in major public art collections, including:

  • The National Art Gallery, Amman, Jordan
  • GATT Gallery, U.N., Geneva
  • World Museum, Rotterdam
  • Darat al Funun, Amman, Jordan
  • Westminster Bank, London

Exhibitions
  • 2001-2002: Contemporary Arab Art’, curated by Egee Art Consultancy, Londo, held at the Wereldmuseum, Rotterdam, 6 June 2001 until the 24th March 2002[9]
  • 2004: Symbols of Harmony: Art from the Islamic World, curated by the Ayagallery and held at the Kent County Gallery, 3 January -29 March 2004[10]

See also

References
  1. Ali, W., Modern Islamic Art: Development and Continuity, University of Florida Press, 1997, p. 16
  2. DeMonte, Claudia (2000). Women of the world: a global collection of art. Pomegranate. p. 167.
  3. Khairat Al-Saleh
  5. Sardar, Ziauddin (January 29, 1999). "Articles of faith". New statesman.
  6. Livo, Norma J. (March 31, 1996). "Exploring Cultures of the Middle East, India". Rocky Mountain News.
  7. Sadar, Z., "Articles of Faith," New Statesman, 29 January 1999, Online:
  8. Ali, W., Modern Islamic Art: Development and Continuity, University of Florida Press, 1997, pp 165-66
  9. Ali Omar Ermes, Online:
  10. Al-Ali, N. and Al-Najjar, D., We Are Iraqis: Aesthetics and Politics in a Time of War, Syracuse University Press, 2013, p. 40
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