Episode 053: Esra Alhamal

Cut the Craft

Recorded September 19, 2022.

Dr. Esra Alhamal creates illuminated paintings and works out of England. In this episode, she clears up the language surrounding biomorphic patterns and the western idea of Islamic Art. Instead, Esra promotes the Arabic word Nabati; meaning “from plant” to describe the organic curvy patterns she uses to create illuminated paintings. She guides us through regional differences in the stylized visual patterns and talks about her own process as she creates different pieces. She teaches illumination, has her own paint company, and publishes a podcast about art, but still finds time to relax with the repetition of her own practice. As she says, it’s nice to have a goal but being true to your creative self leads to satisfaction.

Clarification: Esra was referring to two different books. Richard Sennet’s “The Craftsman” and Peter Korn’s “Why we make things and why it matters”

To find more of Esra’s work visit her website: https://www.islamicillumination.com/, or bristleandbrush.co.uk, and listen to her Podcast: https://www.islamicillumination.com/podcast

Instagram: @artilluminatedpodcast, and @islamicillumination

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