A Mirror, A Myth, and A Monument explores the intricate patterns, forms, and philosophies of Islamic art, reinterpreting them within a contemporary context. This project challenges the marginalization of Islamic art, often reduced to ornamental status by Orientalist perspectives in Western art history. Rooted in the Islamic worldview, where art reflects divine order, unity, and interconnectedness, the project highlights the deeper meaning behind geometric patterns and architectural forms.

 

Central to this work are photographs of significant sites in Islamic architecture, capturing the spatial and temporal complexities of these iconic structures. By transforming these images into sculptural forms, the project moves beyond two-dimensional representation, creating three-dimensional objects that evoke the depth and perspective inherent in Islamic design. The manipulation of these photographs into physical forms further complicates their interpretation, inviting viewers to engage with the patterns and motifs in a dynamic way and pushing the boundaries of how they are traditionally perceived.

 

A Mirror, A Myth, and A Monument  positions Islamic art as a living tradition that continues to evolve. By reimagining traditional patterns through modern materials and techniques, the project bridges the gap between past and present, emphasizing Islamic art as a vibrant and evolving form of cultural expression. Through these sculptural interventions, the project encourages contemplation of the spiritual significance embedded in Islamic art.

 

Biographie

Leila Fatemi (b. 1991, Milan)  is a contemporary visual artist currently based in Tkaronto/Toronto. Through a combination of material and textual research, her practice unfolds across a variety of mediums including photography, collage, archival materials, textile, pattern and printmaking. Bridging themes of postcolonialism, gender, and spirituality, Fatemi’s work challenges viewers to consider their role in relation to the representational accuracy and cultural consequences of Orientalized subjects. Her work offers alternative perspectives surrounding the colonial gaze, ethnic representation, and collective numinous experiences by employing methods of subversion and reclamation as tools to resist imperialist legacies.

 

Meditations on the Alhambra VII, 9" x 12", CMYK Screenprint, 2024
Meditations on the Alhambra V, 8" x 10", Photolithograph, 2024