Wisconsin artists featured in “Islamic Inspired” exhibit for Ramadan

Photo by Sandra Whitehead

Janine (Amelia) Katbeh of Milwaukee (left) poses with her mother Ghada and sister Mandy at the opening of “Islamic Inspired,” an art exhibit in Greenfield where Katbeh is the featured guest artist.

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.

Photo by Sandra Whitehead

Asma Qadadha of Greenfield stands next to her painting “Endless Sea,” her artistic rendering of a verse in the Quran.

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.

Photo by Sandra Whitehead

Muna Riyad Sharma of Bay View printed postcards of her three-piece work “Holy Places and Spaces” to sell and raise money for Hanan Refugees Relief Group, which helps refugees in Wisconsin with resettlement needs.

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.

Photo by Ahmed Obeidat

Nadia Alkhun, artist and owner of Nadiana Art Gallery, stands next to her large acrylic on canvas, “Praise the name of thy Lord the Most High.”

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.

Photo by Sandra Whitehead

Guest Artist Janine (Amelia) Katbeh discusses her work with Jamal Musleh and Razan Atari, both of Franklin.

“I really started getting into calligraphy in the past four to five years,” she said, gesturing to several paintings that featured the verses from the Quran in Arabic script. “I have been progressing as an artist since I started taking myself and my artwork a lot more seriously about four years ago.” In addition to Islam, much of her work is related to Palestine and has been featured recently in several exhibitions.

Alkhun said she enjoys occasionally featuring the work of emerging artists like Katbeh. “I see a good future ahead of her because she’s determined and talented. Because I am an artist, I know how important an exhibition can be for them to grow as artists and to develop their careers,” she said. “Highlighting guest artists, whether emerging or established, is a way to support them, something they can add to their resume.”

Photo by Sandra Whitehead

Janine Katbeh’s paintings “Heaven” (left) and “Hellfire” (right) each feature verses from the Quran.

One of the most accomplished artists in the exhibition, Rida Fatima of Pewaukee, contributed a painting of Baadshaahi Masjid in Lahore, Pakistan, a favorite topic of her architectural paintings. “Lahore has many iconic landmarks and this is one,” she said. “It’s a very beautiful place with a giant open courtyard and all the prayer space. As soon as you go there, you know it is something special. A lot of my paintings come from the same place.

“This one is really big,” she added about her painting of an archway. “I think it’s 84 inches by 36 inches. I did take some artistic license while making it. Most of my paintings are not exact replicas of the scene.”

When Fatima returns from trips to Pakistan, painting helps her adjust to the comparatively quiet life here. “Drawing or painting scenes from there has always helped me get through that stage of transition,” she said.

Photos by Sandra Whitehead

“Home” by Rida Fatima (left) and “And there is nothing except that it exalts [Allah] by His praise” by Nadia Alkhun (right)

Sukaine Yazoob and Samir Qureshi of Wauwatosa describe themselves as “art appreciators.”

Alkhun enjoyed creating artwork with calligraphy of ayas (verses) from the Quran for the exhibit, she said. It is in Arabic but on the tag next to the painting, it translates the verse into English. As guests explore the art, they also learn the meanings of verses from the Quran, which can be meaningful to Muslims and non-Muslims alike, she said. “It is a kind of dawah (sharing one’s faith). Art is the common language between everyone.”

Photo by Ahmed Obeidat

Participants in a recent calligraphy workshop at Nadiana Art Gallery pose with their artwork.

Experiencing art

Samir Qureshi and Sukaine Yazoob of Wauwatosa learned of the “Islamic Inspired” exhibit through the Islamic Society of Milwaukee Core Young Professionals program, which shares events in Greater Milwaukee with each other through social media. Qureshi is an academic at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Yazoob is a quality assurance engineer in the private sector. The couple describe themselves as “art appreciators.” Yazoob had taken calligraphy classes given by artist Rida Fatima of Pewaukee.

“This is our first visit to Nadiana Art Gallery,” Quereshi said.

“We were very impressed,” added Yazoob.

Nick Gerard-Larson, a teacher of global politics and coordinator of IB programs at Pulaski High School. His colleague Ghada (Katbeh’s mother) invited him to the art exhibit opening. “She has invited me to many things and its wonderful. I see the use of Arabic in different ways. She explained the phrases and what they meant and made connections to what is happening right now in Palestine–Gaza and the West Bank. I learned some interesting connections I would never have known.”

“The exhibit is beautiful,” said Samar Khalek of Franklin. “It is very inspirational and has perfect timing with Ramadan approaching.”

“I would definitely recommend for people to come see it,” said Ihsan Atta of Brookfield. “It’s unique to have a predominately Muslim art venue and its all beautiful work. To see the artistic talent of these artists showcased in an environment where we normally can’t see it is pretty awesome.”

Islamic art at home

“Almost every Muslim home has Islamic art in it,” Alkhun said. “For Muslims, it’s part of their identity. It is something they see that benefits them daily.”

When it is a fine art piece, it has special value, said. “It’s not some home décor they picked up at a shop or a print copy you throw away when you are done with it. It is a one-of-a-kind. It’s an original. The artist has put in time, experience and emotion. It is something no one else has. It appreciates in value over time.

“Most people think of art as a want, not a need. But for me it is a need. It uplifts me and my way of looking at things; it expands my perspective. I can reflect on it and appreciate it.

“I know not everyone can afford to buy original art,” she said. “That’s why I want to provide an experience for everyone to see original art at the gallery. Art is what our culture leaves behind. It is how historians will look at our civilization in the future. It is what remains.”