Holding flowers from her sister and surrounded by her family, Janine Katbeh, 22, of Milwaukee stood Friday in front of a collection of her art on opening night of “Islamic Inspired,” a new juried exhibit at Nadiana’s Art Gallery, 4818 South 76th St., Greenfield (next to Qamaria). The Guest Artist, a designation given to one artist invited to present a collection of their artwork, is “so grateful for this space for Islamic art.
“What is unique about this exhibit is the opportunity to create and display artwork specifically dedicated to the words of the Quran, the Arabic language and the religion of Islam,” said Katbeh, who asked to use her artist name in this story.
“Islamic Inspired” features Islamic art by emerging and well-known Wisconsin artists throughout Ramadan (through Sunday, March 30). The exhibit aims “to bring Islamic art to our Muslim community and to show the world we have a strong artistic tradition,” said gallery owner and artist Nadia Alkhun. “Featuring Islamic art during Ramadan is an opportunity to inspire our Muslim community and to introduce Islamic art to the larger community.”
Islamic art is unique—not the usual themes of landscapes, still-life or abstract art, Alkhun said. It incorporates Islamic scripture, architecture and culture, and geometric patterns that enable viewers to reflect on “the underlying order of both the cosmos and the natural world,” writes Richard Henry, a British expert on Islamic art.
In addition to Katbeh’s collection, the exhibition features artwork by well-known Pewaukee artist Rida Fatima, Angelica Rocha of Milwaukee, Asma Qadadha of Greenfield, Aysha Muhammad of Oak Creek, Bhuiyan Alam of Waukesha, Kristin Westmore of Mukwonago, Michael Strande of Whitefish Bay, Muna Sharma of Bay View, Salem Hamada of Menomonee Falls and Nadia Alkhun of New Berlin. Most, but not all, of the artists are Muslims.
Nadiana’s Art Gallery opens “Ramadan hours,” including some late evening hours, to accommodate the Muslim community, Alkhun said. It also offers the gallery as a place to hold iftars (dinners at the end of a day of fasting) during Ramadan.
In Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset and break their fasts with special meals, after which many go to Taraweeh prayers at masjids (mosques) in which the entire Quran is recited over the month. The gallery will be opened some evenings after Taraweeh prayers. Ramadan hours will be announced on the gallery’s website.
On Eid, Sunday, March 30, the day of celebration when the month of fasting is completed, Nadiana’s Art Gallery will host “Magical Eid Tea Party & Art-making Adventure!” from 3-5 p.m. This women-only event for ages 6 and up is for “women who have been working so hard in Ramadan,” preparing special meals and cleaning their homes, in addition to Ramadan obligations and their usual busy lives, Alkhun said. “We will enjoy a peaceful and relaxing experience with friends, sisters, mothers and daughters with tea, coffee, desserts and all the supplies you need to make your own fancy decoupage jewelry,” the flier says. The cost is $30 per person. Register here.
In the spotlight
Katbeh, a psychology student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who is also completing an art certificate, selected favorite pieces and created new ones especially for her Guest Artist collection. Among them is a large acrylic painting of a man and woman placing their hands on the Kaaba during haj, a pilgrimage to Islam’s holiest site. It is named “A Sacred Union” and it’s not for sale. “I hope to have that in my home one day,” she said.
“Some of the paintings here are specifically for Ramadan,” Katbeh added, pointing to a piece named “The Night of Power.” It refers to Laylat al-Qadr, the night when the Quran was sent down from heaven and the first verses were revealed to the Prophet.
Katbeh’s artist statement describes her as “a multimedia artist with a special focus on acrylic painting on canvas, but I am also a muralist, Arabic calligraphist, henna artist and occasional digital and graphic designer. I mainly focus on cultural resistance and Islamic art, through which I am able to express the biggest parts of my identity as a Palestinian woman, and be the creative voice for my people, especially when the world is trying to silence us.