Sikka 2026: Islamic Illumination Workshop

In this workshop, participants explore Arabic calligraphy as a visual form rather than written text, focusing on the beauty of letter shapes, rhythm, and composition. Selected calligraphic letterforms are traced and reinterpreted as abstract visual elements, allowing participants to move beyond language and meaning into form and movement. Through guided exercises, these letterforms are transformed into expressive compositions and enhanced with gold leaf, creating layered surfaces that highlight contrast, texture, and light. The workshop results in a contemporary artwork that celebrates the aesthetic qualities of Arabic calligraphy through material, gesture, and surface.