Location: VM Centre for Traditional Arts (VMCTA)
Year: 2019

Description:
The Series ‘Alif’ comprises of Frontal/carpet (page) Quran Manuscripts. All these manuscripts are inspired by Mamluk, Safavid and Qajar’s Quranic manuscripts. Geometric and biomorphic designs are indigenous to Pakistan. Each manuscript is created with traditional methods, paints are prepared from natural pigments like Blues are from Lapis lazuli and Chrysocolla, black is from Bone, green is from Malachite, White is from Zinc and 24k Shell gold is used. 

Titles of each manuscript are from the Quran. 

Artworks:

• Noorun Alan Noor
  Size: 11×16 inches.
  Medium: 24ct shell gold, natural pigments on stained and sized Arches paper.
  Description: Noorun Ala Noor means ‘light upon light’. The geometric pattern is from Dabgir Masjid, thatha and Jahangir’s tomb, Lahore. Biomorphic design is inspired by a stone panel in Shah jahan masjid, Thatha.
  
  
• Al Anwaar
  Size: 11×16 inches.
  Medium: 24ct shell gold, natural pigments on stained and sized Arches paper.
  Description: Al Anwaar – ‘the lights’. A 10th century Mamluk Quran which I got to witness at National Museum Karachi inspired me to create this manuscript. I wanted to preserve the memory of witnessing this timeless treasure. The geometric and biomorphic patterns are both inspired by Makli necropolis.
  
  
• Az Zuhur
  Size: 11×16 inches.
  Medium: 24ct shell gold, natural pigments on stained and sized Arches paper.
  Description: Az Zuhur means ‘Rising, blooming or appearing’. Based on an eight pointed  Khatam Star (seal of prophets) and Root 2 rectangle. The empty centre and heavily ornamented overall with floral and vegetative forms symbolizes the nature of Al Mighty ‘Be, and it Is’. Quoting Al Arabi’s beautiful explanation as he drew the diagram (eight pointed star) “all phenomena are nothing but manifestations of Being, which is one with God.”
  
  
• As Samawat
  Size: 11×16 inches.
  Medium: 24ct shell gold, natural pigments on stained and sized Arches paper.
  Description: As Samawat- means ‘the Skies, heavens’ biomorphic patterns are inspired by Kashi kari tiles of Shah jahan masjid, Thatha. The unusual presence of pink clouds in blue and black border along with khatai motifs with gold rumi medallion and eight fold flower in the centre is my interpretation of Janat ul firdaus.
  
  
• Al Masarat – The Pathways
  Size: 12×15 inches.
  Medium: 24ct shell gold, natural pigments on stained and sized Arches paper.
  Description: Fifth in the series ‘Alif’, This illumination painting is Inspired by the ancient Frontal/carpet (page) Quran Manuscripts of Mamluk, Safavid and Qajar’s . Geometric and biomorphic designs are inspired by the patterns from Shah Rukn e Alam mausoleum in Multan.
  Manuscript is created with traditional methods, paints are prepared from natural pigments like Blues are from Lapis lazuli and Chrysocolla, black is from Bone, green is from Malachite, White is from Zinc and 24k Shell gold is used.
  
  
• Al Masarat – Qaida
  Size: 8×10 inches.
  Medium: Walnut ink and lapis blue on tea stained Arches.
  Description: the step by step construction of the famous 6-12 fold pattern from Shah Rukn e Alam.
  
  
• The Malachite Garden
  Size: 10×10 inches.
  Medium: Egg tempera on Gesso Board.
  
  
• Ochres
  Size: 10×10 inches.
  Medium: Egg tempera on Gesso Board.
  
  
• Marquetry
  Size: 6×9 inches.
  Medium: Wood veneers on ply wood.
  
  
• Mughal Miniature Flower Study (i)
  Size: 4×6 inches.
  Medium: Gudrung on Wali.
  
  
• Mughal Miniature Flower Study (ii)
  Size: 4×6 inches.
  Medium: Gudrung on Wali.
  
  
• Multan Ceramic Tile Study
  Size: 16×16 inches.
  Medium: Kashi kari tile work.