Our journey in creating this artwork begins with a simple yet profound aspiration: to create a piece that encapsulates the essence of Islamic spirituality in its purest form and the ascent of the soul, namely a simple writing of the Name of Allah.
We envisioned a piece that would not only adorn a space but also elevate the spirit.
Our quest was to find a design that transcended the ordinary, a form that reached towards the heavens while embodying the simplicity and purity of faith. Not only that but we wanted the composition to be a perfect balance between an ethereal beauty (Jamali) and the regal majesty (Jalali) in a way that befits the name of Allah.
Armed with a lofty goal, we embarked on a creative odyssey, exploring the depths of artistic expression, seeking that elusive harmony.
The path was fraught with trials. Countless designs were conceived and discarded, each attempt bringing us closer to our goal yet still falling short of our vision. Each one lacked something of what we were looking for, either not vertical enough or veering too much to one side of the Jalali-Jamali spectrum. This journey became a test of our resolve and creativity. It was hard to keep frustration from mounting. Days bled into weeks, and the perfect expression remained elusive.
In a moment of serendipity reflection, something amazing happened. As I was working on an order for our "Whatsoever Blessings You have is from Allah" composition, inspiration hit.
The top-most inscription, "Allah," written in a breathtakingly simple, vertical style by the great master Abbas al-Baghdadi, held a captivating beauty. It was as if a veil had lifted, revealing the answer we had been searching for all along. Its vertical design, reminiscent of the reaching minarets, symbolizes the believer's aspirations toward the divine, creating a visual symphony of grace and spirituality.
It’s funny because this was one of the first artworks we added to Irada, and the first we ever received of Baghdadi’s catalog. And it was here, in the existing, that we found the unexpected. This piece, which had been with us all along, held the key to our quest. The realization struck us with the force of a revelation. The design we sought had been with us all along, hidden in plain sight, waiting to be recognized!
Abbas al-Baghdadi was a master calligrapher from Iraq who passed away in 2023 after a long fight witih cancer. His unwavering commitment and loyalty to Ottoman calligraphy's strict measures inspired the artwork you see here. His works are a testament to the elegance of Ottoman precision and the distinct majesty of Iraqi tradition.
This serendipitous discovery was our turning point. We had found our ideal: a composition that soared in vertical splendor and resonated with profound simplicity. The artwork began to take shape, embodying the balance between majesty and beauty.
With renewed purpose, we set out to bring this vision to life, to create a piece that bridged the gap between tradition and innovation, between the earthly and the divine. The road back was a journey of inspiration and realization.
The original, however, was not quite right for steel, where letters must connect into a single form. This required work from the team to adapt it for a new material it was not originally written for. We went through dozens of edits to try to get the right shape. The intricate process of translating the delicate strokes of calligraphy into a brushed metal masterpiece demanded unwavering focus and meticulous attention to detail. Every curve, every flourish, had to embody the spirit of the original while translating seamlessly into the new medium.
After a long struggle, the Allah Thuluth Vertical emerged as a masterpiece of spiritual elegance, a testament to the journey we had undertaken. It was a celebration of the balance between the majestic and the beautiful, a symbol of the purity and simplicity of our faith.
With its sleek stainless steel form, this artwork is a beacon of this divine inspiration. The material itself – resilient, enduring, and reflective – mirrors the timeless nature of the divine message it bears. Each stroke and curve of the Thuluth script is meticulously etched into the metal, capturing the light and casting shadows that dance with the day. This interplay of light and material brings to life the Jalali majesty and spiritual depth imbued in al-Baghdadi’s original calligraphy.
This artwork is more than just a piece of metal; it's a narrative of discovery, a reminder of the serendipitous nature of life, where the answers we seek are often closer than we think. It invites you to embark on your own journey of faith, to find beauty in simplicity, and to discover the divine in the details.
This art piece is a rare gem, a unique blend of contemporary design and traditional calligraphy, offering an exclusive touch to your space. It is a testament to the expertise of the calligraphers, designers and craftsmen at Irada Arts, who have poured their hearts into creating a work for you that transcends time and trends.