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Contemporary Arabic calligraphy based on the Kufic style. The word khaliya, pl. khalâya, from a root which means "void, empty space", refers to the cell, both in the body or in the beehive. It is a close relative to khalwa خلوة, the monk's cell or hermit's retreat. The beehive is the dominant note for this modular piece, which evokes simultaneously the cells filled with honey and the flowers that provided it. The geometry is relieved by the irregular gradation of the colours and by the variation within each hue. At the centre, an empty space reminds us of the core meaning of the word; the whole piece is in itself one cell. This work was conceived in a very unusual way; the idea was suddenly there – so suddenly I can't recall what brought it about – and I knew what it would look like before I knew what word it was. I never work this way because I don't force words into shapes, both the concept and the design need to arise from the word. Yet when I was looking for a fitting word and checked the word for "cell", I was astounded to find that خلية was perfect for the design, with the tall ل in exactly the right place (which is off-center by one unit), and required no manipulation whatsoever. How that happened is still a mystery to me, but it made me trust the idea, although it was such a novel one that until the last piece was in place, I had no idea where I was going. And only after it was completed and hanging on my studio wall, did I discover that it was all about the shadows. Materials: Acrylic on Magnani Corona paper, hand-cut, scored, folded, assembled on canvas. Size: 122x122 cm
Contemporary Arabic calligraphy based on the Kufic style. The word khaliya, pl. khalâya, from a root which means "void, empty space", refers to the cell, both in the body or in the beehive. It is a close relative to khalwa خلوة, the monk's cell or hermit's retreat. The beehive is the dominant note for this modular piece, which evokes simultaneously the cells filled with honey and the flowers that provided it. The geometry is relieved by the irregular gradation of the colours and by the variation within each hue. At the centre, an empty space reminds us of the core meaning of the word; the whole piece is in itself one cell. This work was conceived in a very unusual way; the idea was suddenly there – so suddenly I can't recall what brought it about – and I knew what it would look like before I knew what word it was. I never work this way because I don't force words into shapes, both the concept and the design need to arise from the word. Yet when I was looking for a fitting word and checked the word for "cell", I was astounded to find that خلية was perfect for the design, with the tall ل in exactly the right place (which is off-center by one unit), and required no manipulation whatsoever. How that happened is still a mystery to me, but it made me trust the idea, although it was such a novel one that until the last piece was in place, I had no idea where I was going. And only after it was completed and hanging on my studio wall, did I discover that it was all about the shadows. Materials: Acrylic on Magnani Corona paper, hand-cut, scored, folded, assembled on canvas. Size: 122x122 cm

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Cells Sculpture

Joumana Medlej

United Kingdom

Sculpture, Canvas

Size: 122 W x 122 H x 6 D cm

Ships in a Crate

SOLD
Originally listed for $6,630

448 Views

2

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link - Artist featured in a collection

Artist featured in a collection

ABOUT THE ARTWORK
DETAILS AND DIMENSIONS
SHIPPING AND RETURNS

Each unit in this piece is formed of a word in the geometric kufic script, cut out and folded into a "cell". The word is khaliya خلية, from a root which means “void, empty space”, and refers to the cell, both in the body or in the beehive. It is a close relative to khalwa خلوة, the monk’s cell or he...

Year Created:

2015

Subject:

Geometric

Styles:

Abstract

, 

geometric

, 

Conceptual

, 

Kufic

 

Method:

Paper

, 

Acrylic

, 

Cut paper

, 

Folded paper

, 

Canvas

 

Method:

Sculpture, Canvas

Rarity:

One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:

122 W x 122 H x 6 D cm

Ready to Hang:

Yes

Mounting:

Wall-Mounted

Frame:

Not Framed

Authenticity:

Certificate is Included

Packaging:

Ships in a Crate

Delivery Cost:

Shipping is included in price.

Delivery Time:

Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.

Returns:

14-day return policy. Visit our help section for more information.

Handling:

Ships in a wooden crate for additional protection of heavy or oversized artworks. Artists are responsible for packaging and adhering to Saatchi Art’s packaging guidelines.

Ships From:

United Kingdom.

Customs:

Shipments from United Kingdom may experience delays due to country's regulations for exporting valuable artworks.

Need more information?

Contact us.

Need more information?

Contact us.

I'm a British-Lebanese artist who moved from Beirut to East London about a decade ago. I'm best known for reviving archaic styles of Arabic calligraphy (the Kufi scripts) and the medieval art materials that accompany them. My work reflects my experience of the world as being alive with mystery. It invites the viewer to step into this forgotten space by holding them in wonder and stillness: in this vulnerable moment, when one is silenced by beauty and by not-knowing, remembrance can stir. To this end, the work takes on different shapes, from images of contemplation made up of unreadable words to multisensory interactive objects that tell an unspoken story.

Artist Recognition
Artist featured in a collection

Artist featured by Saatchi Art in a collection

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