Of Miniatures, Calligraphy & Royalty- Fatima Nadia Ahmed, a Female Role Model in the Middle East’s Male Dominated Art Industry

Meet

Fatima Nadia Rehman -

Female powerhouse of the Arabic Art World . Standing at the vanguard of the artistic movement currently sweeping the Middle-East, this Dubai-based Arabic calligraphy artist's long list of achievements reads nothing short of stellar. From collaborating with the likes of Gucci, Jo Malone and Louis Vuitton to having taught calligraphy painting to the royal families of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Oman, Nadia is well versed in grandiosity. The Terrene catches up with the artist whose influential works are now a part of the private collections of the Burj Khalifa, Al Ghurair permanent collection, many royal palaces and luxury hotels like the Four Seasons.

Tell me more about your path to becoming an artist.

My path went from studying painting to graphic design to miniatures and finally calligraphy. Art history was also a part of the mix.  Eventually, when I started teaching Arabic calligraphy, I started getting projects only related to calligraphy and I realized this was what I wanted to do. I would work non-stop and spend countless hours working on my paintings. It required a lot of dedication and focus and I guess hard work helped me achieve what I wanted.

When I became an artist, I wanted to do modern work to be with the times yet still use my old school art skills. In the beginning people didn’t understand my style. They often asked me about the kind of work I was doing. Later as modern art evolved, it was more appreciated

 You are one of the very few miniature-painting artists in the world today. I would love for you to tell us more about that?

Mughal miniatures are small (many not more than a few square inches), brightly coloured, and highly detailed paintings typically used to illustrate manuscripts and art books. Despite their tiny sizes, they are incredibly precise, with some lines painted using brushes composed of a single hair (squirrel hair). These miniatures value colour and extreme detail over shading and realistic perspective, giving figures a static appearance, frozen in positions that emphasize their two-dimensionality.

I have had the privilege of being taught by the only teacher left in world for miniatures -Ustad Bashir Ahmed. He has created the curriculum for miniatures all over the world and was the head of the miniature department of NCA (only college in the world to give you a recognized degree in miniatures).

I am still doing miniatures on a commission basis. The amount of years spent on learning them, I believe it would be a waste to give it up. I will continue implementing them in my paintings or other surfaces such as glass, ceramic or jewellery. However, now I also focus more on implementing these studies in my modern work with Arabic calligraphy. We make everything ourselves from paper and brushes to paint and even pencils.

Why do you create? What compels you to create the forms of art that you do, Arabic Calligraphy art, for example?

A thing of beauty is a joy forever. I create because that’s what I’ve always done since I was a child and my life’s path automatically took to me to the arts. I see beauty in everything around me and it compels me to create.  Arabic calligraphy, which is known as the majesty of line, is one of the most difficult art forms in the world. I look at nature as an inspiration and then create these forms with Arabic calligraphy. The horizontal and vertical directions of the lines forming calligraphic letters are given specific meaning or connotation. Put simply, vertical lines are thought to express majesty and horizontal lines denote serenity. "God has inscribed beauty upon all things." So the beautiful forms of calligraphy are frequently found as decoration on everyday objects, with the goal of surrounding the viewer with beauty and truth. In this world of war and terror I believe its something that gives joy to the viewer.

Your works sit in many collections across the world, including royalty. What artists would you like to see in your collection?

Art collections I believe are very personal.  Some artists you collect will be very famous and some will not, it depends on which painting speaks to you. I have Pakistani, Iranian and Turkish artists in my collection. I have also collected the works of street artist from different countries like Paris and Spain. I really want to acquire the work of famous Tunisian calligraphy artist, Nja Mahdoui. Also I want to collect the native specialty art of different countries.

To me, your achievements are many. With regards to yourself, what would you consider is your most significant?

All my achievements hold a special meaning its hard to say which one is most significant.  But if I absolutely had to choose, it would be becoming a part of the permanent collection of the Burj Khalifa because it was a turning point for my career.

Also, I made a miniature for a sheikha, which was very personal and special for her. That was also very significant in terms of relationship building and my love for miniatures.

Tell us, where does Fatima Nadia Rehman – the artist – see herself five years from now?

Life is very unpredictable but if I dare to dream, which I do, I would like to create jewellery with calligraphy for everyone. This would include everyday wear, semi precious stones and fine jewellery, something fun, pretty and wearable. Inspiration will be taken from the Mughals, flora and fauna, and Islamic geometric patterns. Also I want to do household items with calligraphy in silver plating.

If I do achieve what I want to, then a part of my earnings will go to charities for refugees, women, children, and orphans and also the preservation of wildlife and marine life.

Finally, what advice would you give to a young creative just starting out?

I believe fortune follows the brave. The youth should make their passion their profession and life will take them where they are supposed to go. It will require a lot of dedication but I believe today’s creative youth have a lot of talent and will achieve many splendid things in the creative world.

Words by Mandira Rai