by Carmen Wolf, MGMoA Trustee
Every time I visit the permanent gallery at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art I try to find something I haven’t seen before. It may be a piece of art I haven’t paid attention to in the past, or maybe a new detail in a piece I’ve looked at many times. Ultimately, there’s one piece of art that I always end up standing in front of. It’s my favorite piece in the gallery and I just can’t get enough of it. The name of the pieces is “Femme en Serail,” by Jean Leon Gerome. Maybe it’s the luxurious fabrics and rug or the forlorn look of the woman. Maybe it’s the room! It’s very exotic looking, something we don’t see in typical Western buildings.
So, let’s take a closer look. There’s a very intricate wooden screen covering the window and beautiful geometric tiles on the walls in vibrant colors. I love the tiles! What are they? I had to find out, so I went to the internet and started snooping around. They are called Islamic tiles and there is so much to learn about them!
Islamic tiles have a long history, and although they started in the Middle East, they have traveled all over the world. The first tiles were created in the 13th century in Muslim countries. The Islamic religion forbids the depiction of people and animals in religious buildings, so the craftsmen had to be creative. They mastered the ability to make beautiful works of art with geometric and organic shapes, along with repetition. There are several styles of Islamic art, but most of the styles rely on simple geometric elements that turn into beautiful, complex designs. The tiles were used to decorate palaces, buildings, mosques, and homes of the wealthy.
One element you will find in almost all Islamic designs is radial symmetry. If you look closely at a design, you will find a center point with geometric shapes radiating out from that point. You will also notice that the designs are often mirrored horizontally and vertically. Many times, the design is repeated again and again on a wall or floor. See if you can find examples of radial symmetry in the photos.
Another design element used in Islamic art is tessellation. Tessellation is taking a shape, or group of shapes, that fits together without any gaps and repeating it. The shape is designed so that it can be repeated indefinitely. This creates a beautiful and complex design which has been used to decorate all kinds of surfaces. Can you find an example of tessellation?
My challenge for you is to go online with your parent’s or guardian’s permission and search for more examples of Islamic art and architecture. You will be amazed by the vibrant colors and beauty! Look closely to see if you can identify the geometric shapes, radial symmetry, and tessellation. Now look at my favorite painting again and see if you can identify what techniques were used to decorate the walls.
Next, look for an art project that looks like fun. There are many projects and tutorials of all difficulty levels online. Be sure to take a photo of your art and share it on social media using hashtag #MGMoaArt. I can’t wait to see your masterpieces!
