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Traditional Ateliers

By Tasleema Alam 

Artist Designer and Educator Specialising in Islamic geometric and ornamental design 

[email protected]

 

Royal CommissionsHM Majesty King Charles III    

The first of two royal commissions - Summer 2023, I completed the illustrations and technical consultancy for Turquoise Mountain Trust, on the 12 miniature paintings from the Babarnama, 6 of which are installed in the King's Lodge, The Connaught, London Mayfair.  Then in April  2023, Turquoise Mountain Trust invited me to design  an Afghan carpet for the Throne Room at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland.  This commission coincides with the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. Working with the team at TMT, it has been an immense honour to be asked to create the geometry and the foundational grammar that is distinctly a Timurid Afghan carpet to grace a Georgian Royal residence. My brief was to create the foundation on which the native flora and fauna of Hillsborough Castle could be depicted whilst conveying the principles of the garden of paradise, as is typical of Islamic rugs. The result will be a palatial carpet, entirely handmade by Afghan female artisans, in the Herat region. The carpet is so vast that a special loom has to be built and it will take 18  months to weave. 

Artist 

My portfolio consists of commissions for private & corporate clients. The body of work spans  surface pattern creations from 2D to tactile mediums like clay, glass and ceramics. I create miniature paintings and watercolours using gold, specialist inks and natural pigments. Most of my works are in private collections thanks to dedicated patronage.  Please visit my portfolio. Reproductions or prints are available and commissions gratefully received.

portfolio

Design Consultancy 

I have worked both locally and  internationally on Islamic heritage design. From exhibition installation, hotel refurbishment and cultural regeneration project, clients include South Bank, Turquoise Mountain Trust and The Princes Foundation.   Please see video of a sample of design projects below and if you want to commission any work please contact me

Contact me

Teaching

 One of my greatest pleasures comes from teaching - ie sharing and exchanging knowledge with others. You may want to learn  how to draw, paint, design surface patterns, gilding or even  designing a portfolio.  I offer personal tuition for GCSE Art at o/a levels too. Click here for current courses. If you can't find what you are looking for message me for a tailored programme

Courses

Royal CommissionsHM Majesty King Charles III    

The first of two royal commissions - Summer 2023, I completed the illustrations and technical consultancy for Turquoise Mountain Trust, on the 12 miniature paintings from the Babarnama, 6 of which are installed in the King's Lodge, The Connaught, London Mayfair.  Then in April  2023, Turquoise Mountain Trust invited me to design  an Afghan carpet for the Throne Room at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland.  This commission coincides with the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. Working with the team at TMT, it has been an immense honour to be asked to create the geometry and the foundational grammar that is distinctly a Timurid Afghan carpet to grace a Georgian Royal residence. My brief was to create the foundation on which the native flora and fauna of Hillsborough Castle could be depicted whilst conveying the principles of the garden of paradise, as is typical of Islamic rugs. The result will be a palatial carpet, entirely handmade by Afghan female artisans, in the Herat region. The carpet is so vast that a special loom has to be built and it will take 18  months to weave. 

The Kings Lodge

 

The Carpet 

 

Traditional Ateliers

by

Tasleema Alam 

Portfolio

I am an artist specialising in Islamic geometric & ornamental design. I work with natural pigments, ink and gold, to create watercolours, miniature paintings and calligraphy,  as well as tactile mediums like glass, wood,  clay & ceramics. Feel welcome to browse through the portfolio and contact me at [email protected]  if you have any queries or click below 

 

Contact

Kaaba - Indian Miniature in private collection, B Bolger- The Princes Foundation

"Mughal Tapestry" Persian Miniature, private collection, Jameel

 

"Simurgh"  24 ct shell gold and pigments, Dr P Araneta, 

"Cairo"

Ink and gouache, private collection, Von Thyssen collection

 

"Shamsa"  24 ct shell gold and pigments, private collection 

"Ceiling" Moroccan, 24 ct gold, natural pigments,  Entirely handmade, handpainted with bespoke hand ground pigments and gold on jellatung wood.  Price on request.

 

"Circadian Dance" 

based on the Flower of Life pattern, the detail in side contains further 24 circles depicting the cosmic links between our inner rhythms and the cosmic flow around sun, moon  space and time. Ink and gouache, gold,  private collection, D Zaman

 

Wooden blocks made by students after a geometry session

"Evolution" or Rumi

Ink and gouache, private collection, M Carron

 

 

"Coffee n Cream"  walnut ink and gouache,  £175 framed 

 

Salaam, Qawla Mir Rabbir Raheem, Sura Ya Seen. Peace! A good word from your Lord, Most Merciful,

£ on request unframed. Prints available on request

Artist & Designer 

I create specialist art works and provide design consultancy for  corporate and private clients. Take a look at the video for a collaboration with Turquoise Mountain Trust. ITHRA (Aramco). I have also recently worked on projects with TMT  for the furniture range at  Leighton House Museum, South Kengington, London

 

 

Teaching Sacred Geometry, Painting, Portfolio Building & more 

Access Anytime Anywhere 

Geometry

"There is geometry in the humming of the strings and music in the movement of the spheres"  Thus - I'm  inspired  to share beautifully curated courses in Islamic geometry. Drawing patterns with meaning. Understanding how geometry underpins all great design.

 

 

Courses

Ornamental patterns - Islimi

Practical design and painting courses to help you understand the 'grammar of ornament' across the expanse of Islamic lands. From the Silk Road, Africa, Asia and beyond we bring you patterns that tell a story of the people, their lands, their traditions. Each course provides an opportunity to complete a masterpiece made by you.  

 

Courses

 

Artisan Knowledgbase

  • Here you will find classes in painting, drawing techniques, gilding
  • Miniature Painting: Ink drawings; 
  • Portfolio building
  • Corporate & school workshops.
  • We are building a blog with rich resources;  
  • A nurturing learning environment. Subscribe to our newsletter to be kept up to date
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2023 Year in Review

Jan 01, 2024