Halleh Mortazavi

Artworks

Bismillah
Lapis, natural pigments and 24ct shell gold on hand made paper
20 x 30 cm

Noghte (Dot)
Natural pigment and shell gold on indigo dyed hand made paper
30 x 30 cm

Medallion
Lapis and gold leaf on handmade paper
8 x 15 cm

Artist Statement

My background is in science. I earned my PhD in Electronic Engineering in image processing. However, I always had a passion for Persian & Islamic art, and for many years painted as a hobby.

The theme of my second year project is based on my journey through the first year of the MA programme. As a Muslim, born and raised in an Islamic culture, I had the chance at The School of Traditional Arts to look at my faith and spirituality from another perspective, from that of a practicing art is. I became familiar with sacred geometry, a totally new world to me.

The second year project consists of three parts:

First part: This consists of six illuminated pieces. The main piece is the Surah Al-Fatiha (سوره الفاتحه), the first and most important Surah in the Quran. It is known as ‘The door of the Holy Book’. I was inspired by the famous saying by Imam Ali ((ع: “The whole of the Quran is contained in the opening chapter, the opening chapter is contained in the Bismillah (بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم), and the Bismillah is contained in the ba (ب ), and the ba is contained in the dot underneath”.

The first piece is Surah Al-Fatihah written in Abbasid Kufi calligraphy style decorated with a 7 knots border in gold. The second and third pieces are Surah al-Fatihah written in a circular shape which I designed. The calligraphy is in broken Nastaliq, as I wanted to celebrate my own tradition. The two circular calligraphy pieces are decorated in a 20-fold and 16-fold harmonic expansion Shamsa. Here, I used different lapis pigments from different batches to exhibit the beauty, variety, and mystery of this stone. Second is the Bismillah in Nastaliq. The background of the letters is blue and 24crt gold, symbolising the heavenly words of God sent to the earth for us, humans.
The letters are decorated with floral motifs, inspired by the flowers in my parents’ garden.

The fifth and sixth are the Ba. These two works are the fusion of Western and Persian art, and aim to show the resemblance and unity between different faiths.

Seventh is the dot beneath the Ba. The distillation of the whole. The dot represents Infinity folded in to one point, the point of the compasses. The world is created from this point, the circumference of the circle.

Second part: consists of two pieces, which are about a snake and ladder chart. It shows the spiritual/Sufi journey of a human being in this material world. One is in monochrome, and the other is in colour. In Persian traditional art, the artists use their imagination through the paintings. Here, I tried to paint the snakes inspired by both Persian art and a diaper pattern from Western tradition. The design of the Throne of the Almighty, is based on my understanding from the definitions given in the Quran and “Mosibat Nameh” by Attar.

Third part: It is about the Unity & Love, which I inspired by Reza Abbasi’s painting titled ‘Two Lovers’.

I would like to mention that the calligraphies are done by two Iranian Calligraphers, Mr. Mohsen Ebadi and also Mrs Mina Masoomi.

Biography

I was born in Iran, a country rich in culture and traditions and I achieved my BSc in Electronic Engineering. I was always very interested in painting, especially Persian paintings and I was fortunate to participate the art classes of Mr. Aydin Aghdashloo.
Later, I completed my education and earned my PhD in Image Processing (in Electronic Engineering) from The University of Manchester. I always looked at art as a hobby in my life. But then my approach changed and I became more interested in it and wanted to know and experience it at a deeper level. That led me to enter the MA Programme at The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts. I have had a great experience during the two years here, having the chance to become familiar with different art and craft traditions and experiencing my faith and unity from another perspective. My main passion is illumination, especially Persian style (Safavid & Timurid era) as well as miniature painting. Moreover, I have realised a deep interest in ceramic painting and egg tempera as well. These two techniques contain hidden for me mysteries which I would like to explore further alongside practising my illumination & painting.

Contact

Website https://www.halleh.net/
Instagram @Hallehmortazavi.art
Email Halley458@yahoo.com