The Chinese Kufic

This furniture was found in an affluent Malaysian family house. It was made of a very heavy Rose wood with a typical Chinese design for a chair. What so interesting about it was the fabric, where there were various Chinese lettering with Kufic styles in it. It was a wonder about which one came first, the Arabic Kufic or the Chinese and how the two cultures had influenced each other to make up a Kufi square.

This was another fabric design on another furniture. Because the author do not know Chinese language he is leaving it to you to find out the exact meaning of the words written here.

For more information about Kufi, please check this link; http://www.kufic.info

Art is...

http://www.carandache.ch/m/les-instruments-d-ecriture-et-accessoires/les-pieces-d-exception/collection-artistes/kufi-art/index.lbl?show=1

‎"Art is

the ultimate expression of 

the human soul.

It tells of tales

Long past and dreams

yet to be realized.

It breathes joy and Love,

and tears,

sadness and tragedies.

Most important of all 

it Inspires".

Shukor Yahya

The FoKS

Satu Malaysia. 50 x 50". Acrylic on Linen.

The world of art needs Shukor Yahya as much as he needs it too. Paving the path for other kufi kufi artists not just in Malaysia but also in the world whom he calls them FoKS a short form for 'Friends of Kufi Square' whom he met and coached through online Kufi Kufi lesson he conducted informally through the internet.

The relationships he established through the on-line connections entails engendering the spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie among his contemporaries.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2079004&id=1056024953

It is no coincidence, then, that the squarish-swirling wordings of a kufi artwork resembles a maze, for in

the perpetual search for canvas utopia, Shukor Yahya sees it imperative that his masterpieces contain all the elements necessary for them to be important and contributing to the betterment of humanity. Especially in his home country.

Rukun Negara (A National Principles)

50 X 50"

Acrylic on Canvas

In the process, he also faces the task of connecting the pieces of the puzzle while weaving his way through the intricate labyrinth that life’s challenges present.

A Preamble towards remembrance of God

5O x 50 "

Acrylic on Canvas

The S2A Group.

Supplicate;

I am seeking protection from God against the God damn satan.

Beginning this weekend in early November 2010 I have been included into the S2A Group of international artists who dedicates their work in Geometric forms. Thank you Stephane Hirschi (France) who invited me into this elite group which also include Dr Mike Trembley (the UK) who gave me a warm welcome message.

In the name of allah the Most Gracious and Most Merciful

50X 50" Acrylic on Linen

Personally Ifeel honoured to be included in the group because it seems to me that I am the only one who represent Asia and the youngest member in the list too.

Well, frankly though, I am not that young in age but my mind tells me at 57 I am not going to call it a retirement. No, not yet.

With full of excitement and zeals I hope to make my life more beneficial to humanity by producing something important through art together with this group.

Although I haven't gone through each and every links of the members provided in the blog http://simpleabstract.blogspot.com/, but by a glance I knew that most of us have something in common. A Geometrical minds.

I sincerely hope this particular direction I am embarking in art would gives some lights to many of us. It is not my intention to intimidate anybody whosoever who believe otherwise. In case you are not comfortable with the messages that comes out of my works, just ignore it for peace sake. Will you?

I am doing it because I am a Muslim Artist from Malaysia who love mankind. Through out the history of my country we always

foster good relationships with everybody. Believe me, being in a country which is truly Asia in spirit. I also have a lot to offer for the world.

A Kufisia flag in Kufi Kufi.

45 x 45"

Acrylic on Linen

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 6^th 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.

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.

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.