Light upon light

Object Details

• Artist

  Shirazeh Houshiary (Iran, born 1955; active United Kingdom)

• Label

  Houshiary's work presents a subtle fusion of her interest in minimalism and involvement in Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, which advocates the annihilation of the Self as a means to enlightenment and divine love. Light upon light represents a gauzelike spiral with a bright, luminous core, reminiscent of images of distant stars and galaxies. While the visual impact of much contemporary art is direct and immediate, that of Houshiary's work, like a fine Persian calligraphy or manuscript painting, is gradual and subtle. It slowly draws in the viewer, inviting careful examination and quiet contemplation. Only then may he or she begin to realize that the spiralling form is entirely composed of the word Allah (God). Houshiary's mesmerizing work can be interpreted as a powerful visual parallel to the Sufi's quest for divine knowledge, which is attained by patience and understanding.

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Imaging the Word: Selections of Calligraphy from the Islamic World (November 17, 1999 to May 7, 2000)

• Origin

  Iran

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Smithsonian Unrestricted Trust Funds

• Type

  Painting

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1990s

• Name

  Houshiary, Shirazeh

• Topic

  Contemporary Art, Art, Arts of the Islamic World

• Culture

  Muslims, Iranians

• Object Type

  Paintings