2023 Academic Year Short Course Review「The Language of Nature: Design Motifs」

From Nov 20 to Dec 1, "The Language of Nature: Design Motifs" short course was be delivered by tutor Mahmud Manning in Yuan Centre, with supporting and translating by Tutor Assistant.  

In this course, students from different cities learned together about the art of creating traditional Islamic motifs inspired by the forms of nature, and the specific natural forms upon which stylised “Turkic Ottoman” design motifs derive. They were also engaged in practical study of traditional Islamic painting techniques, especially the art of manuscript illumination; in particular, they learned to prepare their own “shell gold” pigment made from 24-carat gold.

On top of that, students have also discussed and exchanged ideas with our tutor on the differences and connections between Chinese traditional painting and Islamic motifs and painting techniques.

The first week, our students learned the basics of traditional Islamic illumination with guidance from Mahmud, including preparation for paper, shell gold, flower and Rumi design principles, as well as some drawing and painting techniques with hand exercises in both pencil and brush.

During the class, Mahmud took our students out of the classroom for a field trip to a local heritage source - the ruins of the Twin Pagodas in Suzhou.

The stone pillars that still remain at the site are embossed with delicate and lively motifs such as peonies, Chinese peonies and other flowers, and various figures of children hidden inside.

Together they did their first observation drawings under the autumn ginkgo trees, and experienced the beauty of the biomorphic motifs, which later became an inspiration for their creation.

The second week, our students continued studying the painting techniques of traditional Islamic illumination and finished their practice illumination with shell gold. They also designed a composition with their own stylised biomorphic motifs for the 
very first time.

Students showed great interest in traditional Islamic illumination and made a joint creation under the guidance of our tutor. The learning and thoughts of everyone merged into a three-meter-long scroll, adding a marvellous touch to the course.