Wednesday, July 29, 2009

The Critic's says



AlAmbya (the prophets): 87

Feb, ’09. Size 40” X 40”.

Medium: Mixed medium on Linen.

Meaning of ayat:

And (remember) Dhun-Nun (Jonah), when he went off in anger, and imagined that We shall not punish him! (i.e. the calamities which had befallen him)! But he cried through the darkness (saying): La ilaha illa Anta (non have the right to be worshipped but you, o Allah), Glorified (and exalted) be You (above all that evil they associated with you)! Truly I have been a wrongdoer.




Haffendi Anuar or Eddie is a graduate from Rhode Island School of Design near New York. He is a budding Art Critic in Malaysia and this is what he wrote about Shukor Yahya's work for a Qalam exhibition at Chandan Gallery, Damansara Height, Kuala Lumpur.

The assimilation of geometric abstraction and pop art into Islamic calligraphy works could be seen in Shukor Yahya’s. Yahya’s colorful, hard-edged square-kufic pieces use a centered composition that imitates fertile, overflowing arabesque designs.

The play of simple shapes and geometry transform the paintings into a visual delight displaying savvy design sensibilities and control. Yahya’s “restrained touch” differs greatly from the angst-fueled works of Din Mohammad’s, Ghani’s and Hourmain’s where expression is the main concern. His usage of Qur’anic http://www.quranflash.com/en/quranflash.html verses in his paintings hint of the traditional practice of Islamic calligraphy which was meant as a way to document specific verses from the Qur’an onto parts of architecture or objects for the purpose of contemplation or decoration.


In AlHadid : 8 aquamarine blue and dark violet background holds an orange-yellow abstract grouping of sentences from the Qur’an in a rigid centered composition framed in a square canvas. Small colorful primary and secondary colored squares and rectangles playfully dart in-and-out of the kufi maze, cryptic in its message to the lay-man, hinting at the esthetics of Egyptian hieroglyphs and the musical nature of Peat Mondrian’s mature paintings.

Al Hadid: 8. May, ’09. Size 40” X40”.

Medium: Mixed medium on Linen.

Meaning of ayat: And what is the matter with you that you believe not in Allah! While the Messenger (Muhammad S.A.W.) invites you to believe in your Lord (Allah); and He (Allah) has indeed taken your covenant, if you are real believers.




The work is like a melting pot of pop-culture and mystical influences, clearly demonstrating the modern inventiveness of his approach. He stated that his paintings are meant in a jovial nature, to allure viewers to the works for the purpose of contemplation and intimacy with the sacred.

For a full write up, please log on to: http://www.espifinearts.blogspot.com/




AlBaqarah: 267

Completed on 6th June, 2009. 40 x 76 ½”. Mixed medium on Linen.

Meaning of ayat:

O you who believe! Spend on the good things you have legally earned, and of that which We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it, (though) you would not accept it, save if you close your eyes and tolerate therein. And know that Allah is Rich (Free of all needs), and worthy of all praise.



Thursday, July 16, 2009

Qalam


Surat Cinta (Love Letter), 1995
24cm X 16 cm, Etching.
Ahmad Khalid Yusof
(1934-1997)







Dr Suleiman Isa (1995) in his Art & Srirituality published by the National Art Gallery of Malaysia, wrote; in search of meaning and purpose in life many Muslim artists seeks to discover peace and certitude through Islam. For God is both the source of light and the truth.

Given the morally and spiritually corrosive influence of the postmodernist ethos, for many Malaysian Muslim artists, to render their art in the sevice of Islam, to integrate their artistic activities to their spirituality, indisputably becomes a most critical and challenging task.


Alif Lam Mim, 2003
Acrylic on Canvas.
Muhammad Din Muhammad
(1955-2007)





In tribute to the late Ahmad Khalid Yusof and Muhammad Din Muhammad, a group of artists consists of Yusof Ghani, Ahmad Zaki Anuar, Hussein Hourmain and Shukor Yahya are going to have their works exhibited along sides with the old masters', entitles Qalam on the 15th. August, at Chandan Gallery, Damansara Height, Kuala Lumpur, at 5pm.

Don't be late unless you are ready to miss your opportunity to own a state of the art Islamic calligraphy painted by contemporary painters from Malaysia. F&B will be served, so it'll be ok if you come hungry.











(Al Thalak or Divorce: 2-3)
aka. Ayat 1000 Dinar
March,’05. Size: 50” X 83”.
Medium: Emulsion on Canvas.
By
Shukor Yahya

www.kufikufi.com

Meaning of ayat:

And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out. And He provides him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things Allah appointed a due proportion.

Note; Whosoever recites this ayat at the break of down or at dusk God will make their business reaps big profit and their life will prosper.



Monday, June 15, 2009

AlFatihah (The Opening)



Charles Saatchi Dies. By Charles Saatchi.
2009, 71 X 99.
"I shot (with a gun) this portrait
after receiving some unexpected news."




Almost everyone in art communities knows Charles Saatchi. In case if you do not know this man you can read: Alison Fendley's (1995). Saatchi & Saatchi The Inside Story. Published by Arcade Publishing Inc. New York. He established the Saatchi Gallery in 1985 from a Boundary Road in St. John's Wood to Chelsea, London.
Today it is slowly building up a reputation and respect as a gallery to be observed by art enthusiasts around the world.







Recently Shukor Yahya was invited to post his works at Saatchi Online Gallery for the world to see, at: http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery/artist_profile/Shukor+Yahya/109419.html.
To his surprise he received a personal e-mail from Charles Saatchi himself. Here is what he said;


"Hello,
Very happy to see your work on Saatchi Online.
I am thrilled that the standard is so high from such a variety
of artists and hope it will be interesting to gallery owners, exhibition curators and collectors to see such diverse work.

All my best,
Charles Saatchi"



According to Mark Rothko's (1903–70) statement that, 'If a thing is worth doing once, it is worth doing over and over again – exploring it, probing it, demanding by its repetition that the public look at it.'

Such ideas had already been integral to Shukor Yahya's works since he took up painting seriously since 1990s. He explored the concept of the series, which provided him with a discovered method of critical self-enquiry to color reactions to different background and as a way of investigating the continuing possibilities of painting the words of God as a form of reminder for the benefit of humanity because it is very important.

Quite frankly Mr Saatchi, with 85 completed masterpieces plus 15 more on the go, he is ever ready to lead a new direction and purpose in Art to rock the world in the name of civilization from inside or outside Chelsea, for God's sake.

P.S: Thank you very much for your e-mail. May you and your family - and the rest of the Saatchies be blessed with peace and eternal happiness. Ameen!






Painted in Oct. ’08. Size: 22” X 40”. Medium: mixed Media on Linen.

The meaning of surah Al-Fatihah (The Opening):
1. In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
2.Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds.
3. Most Gracious, Most Merciful;
4. Master of the Day of Judgement;
5. You do we worship, and your aid we seek.
6. Show me the straight way;
7. The way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, those whose portion will not wrath, and who not go astray.



Sunday, April 26, 2009

Peace!


Ya Sin ; 58.
Mixed media on linen. 20 X20" (April, 2009)

Meaning of ayat:
"Peace!" - a word (of salutation)
from a Lord Most Merciful!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Monotheism was introduced by all messengers


Painted in 2008, entitled Al Alaq 1 & 8. Emulsion on Linen. Measures: 51 cm X 105.

The meaning of ayat Al Alaq 1 & 8: In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious, the most Merciful. 1. Read! In the name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists). 2. He has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood). 3. Read! And your Loard is the Most Generous. 4. Who has taught the writing by pen. 5. He has taught man that which he he knew not. 6. Nay! verily, man does transgress (in disbelief and evil deed). 7. Because he consider himself self-sufficient. 8. Surely,unto your Lord is the return.




Charles is a new friend of Shukor Yahya, he is from Long Island, USA, the home to the late Jackson Pollock. He is an artist and a regular chatter at Saatchi Gallery Chat-Live. Last night both of them had a nice chat on line. He was not sure if Muhammad S.A.W. was a fighter, a prophet or an artist. Out of the whole world population only about 1/6 recognizes who Muhammad S.A.W. is.

Ever since people innovated the dogma of Shirk, (i.e. joining others in worship along with Allah), Allah had been sending Prophets and Messengers to His devotees in order to invite them to the worship of Allah alone, to order them not to ascribe partners unto Him and bring them out of the darkness of polytheism into the light of Monotheism.

All the Prophets preached Tauhid (i.e. Monotheism, the Belief in the Oneness of Allah, the Glorious, the Elevated). The following Verses from the Noble Qur'an illustrate this fact:



Painted in 2008, entitled Nuh: 5-11. Emulsion on Linen. Measures: 72 cm X 102 cm.

The meaning of ayat Nuh : 5 -11.

5. He said, O my Lord! I have called to my people night and day 6. But my call only increases (their) flight (from the Right). 7. And every time I have called to them, that you might forgive them, they have (only) thrusts their fingers through their ears, covered themselves up with their garments, grown obstinate, and given themselves up to arrogance. 8. So I have called them aloud; 9. Further I have spoken to them in public and secretly in private. 10. Saying, ask forgiveness from your lord; for He is Oft-Forgiving: 11. He will send rain to you in abundance.



"Indeed We sent Nuh (Noah) to his people, and he said: '0 my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (La ilaha illallah, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Certainly, I fear for you the torment of a great Day!" (V. 7:59).

"And to 'Ad (people, We sent) their brother Hud. He said: '0 my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (La ilaha illallah, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Will you not fear (Allah)?" (V. 7:65).

"And to the people of Madyan (Midian), (We sent) their brother Shu'aib. He said: '0 my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (La ilaha illallah, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah). Verily, a clear proof (sign) from your Lord has come unto you, so give full measure and full weight and wrong not men in their things, and do not make mischief on the earth after it has been set in order, that will be better for you, if you are believers.' " (V.7:85)

"And to Thamud (people, We sent) their brother Salih. He said: '0 my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. (La ilaha illallah, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah).' " (V. 7:73).

"And verily, We have sent among every Ummah (community, nation) a Messenger (proclaiming): Worship Allah (Alone) and avoid (or keep away from) Taghut (all false deities i.e. do not worship Taghut besides Allah)." (V. 16:36).

(1) The word Taghut covers a wide range of meanings: It means anything i.e., all the false deities worshipped other than the Real God (Allah). It may be Satan, devils, idols, stones, sun, stars, angels human beings e.g. 'Isa (Jesus), Messenger of Allah, who were falsely worshipped and taken as Taghut. Likewise saints, graves, rulers, leaders, are falsely worshipped, and wrongly followed.




Muhammad :7

Painted in 2008,

Emulsion on Linen.

Measures : 64 cm X 64 cm



The meaning of ayat Muhammad : 7

O you who believe! If you will aid (the cause of) Allah, He will aid you, and plant your feet firmly.



Prophet was sent unto his own nation for their guidance, but the Message of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W., was general for all mankind and jinn. As in Surat Al-A'rdf (Allah addresses His Messenger S.A.W.):

"Say (0 Muhammad S.A.W.): '0 mankind: Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allah." (V. 7:158).

So the aim of sending these Prophets and Messengers to men and jinn was only that they should worship Allah Alone, as Allah S.W.T. said:

"And I (Allah) created not the jinn and men except they should worship Me (Alone)" The Qur'an (V. 51:56).


And to worship Allah means to obey Him and to do all He has ordained, and to fear Him by abstaining from all He has forbidden.

Then those who will obey Allah will be rewarded in Paradise, and those who will disobey Him will be punished in the Hell-fire.





Supplification Painted in 2008, Emulsion on Linen. Measures 64 cm X 64 cm

The meaning: O lord, please accept us into paradise and save us from the fire of Hell.

Copyright © 2008 by Shukor Yahya

All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the artist, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Polytheism is not Monotheism


Al -Nahl:75 (2008). Emulsion on Linen.  Size: 64 cm X 64 cm.

Meaning of ayat Al Nahl (Bees) : 75

“Praise be to Allah. But most of them understand not.”


Shirk and Kufr

POLYTHEISM AND DISBELIEF



One of many chatters whom Shukor Yahya knew from the Saatchi Gallery Chat Live  at http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/ is Sentinel. When he first saw this blog-site he began to call Shukor an Islamist and sent words insulting him and Islam. 

Accusing Shukor tried to lure him into terrorism and so on. Shukor was not bothered when his works and his personality were attacked but Sentinel's ignorance is actually driving himself into extreme peril without him realizing it. Surely there are billions of people like him out there who seriously needed helps and some divine lights.





O, by the way, this is Shukor Yahya's first painting in 2009. Entitles : Saba (Sheba): 41. Measures 64 cm X 64cm. Emulsion on Linen.


Meaning of ayat Saba (Sheba): 41:-

 One Day He will gather them all together, and say to the angels, 

“Was it you that these men used to worship?”

 They will say, Glory to you! Our (tie) is with You-as Protector-not with them. 

Nay, but they worshipped the Jinns:

 most of them believe in them.”


Black and explosive red background were chosen to signify the new year celebrated with drops of bombs and innocents' bloods caused by the bloody brutal Israeli invasion in Gaza.




Following is an explanation to us by Dr. Muhammad Muhsin Khan and Dr. Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din Al-Hilali from Madinah Al Munawarah, Salvation of all mankind from the greatest sin against Allah. 

I consider it essential to mention here some details of the greatest sin which will not be forgiven by Allah. This unpardonable sin is Shirk. Shirk implies ascribing partners to Allah or ascribing divine attributes to others besides Allah and believing that the source of power, harm and blessings comes from others besides Allah. Almighty Allah says:

   "Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be ascribed to Him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases; and whoever ascribes partners to Allah in worship, has indeed invented a tremendous sin."(V. 4:48).



Painted in 2008, entitled YaSin : 60

Emulsion on Linen. Measures 64 cm X 64 cm.




The meaning of ayat Yasin: 60

“Did I not enjoin on you, O you Children of Adam, that you should not worship satan; for that he was to you an enemy avowed?”



Almighty Allah says:

"Then when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no kinship among them on that Day, nor will they ask of one another." Then those whose scales (of good deeds) are heavy, — these are the successful.

"And those whose scales (of good deeds) are light, — they are those who lose their own selves in Hell will they abide."

"The Fire will bum their faces, and they will grin with displaced lips (disfigured)."

"(It will be said) 'Were not My Verses (this Qur'an) recited to you and then you used to deny them?'

"They will say: 'Our Lord! Our wretchedness overcame us and we were an erring people.

"Our Lord! Bring us out of this; if ever we return (to evil) then indeed we shall be Zalimuns (polytheists, oppressors, unjust, and wrongdoers).”

"He (Allah) will say: 'Remain you in it with ignominy! And speak you not to Me!' (V. 23:101-108).

"And whoever invokes (or worships) besides Allah, any other ilah (god), of whom he has no proof, then his reckoning is only with his Lord. Surely! Al-Kafirun (disbelievers in Allah and in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, pagans, idolaters) will not be successful." (V. 23:117)



Painted in 2008, entitled Al Maidah : 116. Emulsion on Linen. Measures 64 cm X 64 cm.


The meaning of ayat Al-Maidah (The Table Spread): 116

And behold Allah will say: “O Jesus the son of Mary! Did you say unto men, worship me and my mother as god in derogation of Allah’?” He will say:Glory to You! Never could I say what I had no right (to say), Had I said such a thing, You would indeed have known it. You know what is in my heart, though I know not what is in yours. For You know in full all that is hidden.