When Ornamentation Becomes a Language of Reflection

In the world of Islamic arts, there are artists who do not simply study tradition…
they live it in every detail.

Among these artists is Namareq Mohamed Ali, a specialist in the arts of the book and Islamic illumination (tezhip), who dedicated years of her life to studying this timeless art between Sudan and Türkiye, becoming one of the prominent Arab names in the field.

In this interview, we spoke with Namareq about her artistic journey, her relationship with Islamic manuscripts, and why she believes patience is the most essential quality an artist can possess.

How did your journey with art begin?

I believe my relationship with art began long before I understood what “art” truly meant.

Since childhood, I was always drawn to small details… the ornamentation on old doors, Islamic motifs, and the lines found in traditional architecture. I would stop and look at them for long moments, feeling that they carried a unique spirit.

Later, while studying Fine Arts and specializing in Arabic calligraphy, I became closer to the world of manuscripts and Islamic ornamentation. That was when I truly felt I had found the field that reflected who I was.

Why did you choose illumination and the arts of the book specifically?

Because this art form brings together the things I love most…
precision, contemplation, and patience.

Illumination is not simply decorative ornament surrounding texts or manuscripts. It is an entire world built on harmony and balance. Every element has its place, and every color and line carries meaning within the composition.

I feel that this art teaches the artist how to slow down… how to focus… and how to notice details that many people pass by without seeing.

How did your experience in Türkiye shape your artistic vision?

It was a life-changing experience.

In Istanbul, I studied traditional arts in a deep academic environment and learned directly from specialized masters within a tradition that stretches back hundreds of years.

There, I understood that these arts are not merely technical skills, but a culture, a philosophy, and a way of thinking.

I spent long hours studying a single manuscript or analyzing a small ornament, and over time I began to understand the deep relationship between art and patience, and between beauty and order.

What attracts you most to Islamic art?

The idea of balance.

Islamic art carries a unique sense of harmony and calmness. Even with its richness in detail, there is always a feeling of order and serenity.

I believe this is what makes it so connected to the soul…
It is not based on chaos or excess, but on balanced repetition, patience, and precision.

How would you describe your relationship with historical manuscripts?

I always feel that manuscripts carry memory.

When I study a historical manuscript or ornament, I do not feel that I am looking at an “old object,” but rather at a human trace that has reached us across time.

Every line and ornament tells you something about the artist who created it… about their patience and the way they saw the world.

What do you try to pass on to your students at SOCO?

I try to help them understand that art is not a race.

Today, everything moves quickly, and people often want immediate results. But traditional arts are different… they require time, patience, and continuity.

At SOCO, I do not focus only on teaching technique, but also on teaching observation, concentration, and understanding the artwork from within.

I want students to develop a real relationship with art, rather than simply copying something beautiful.

What is the most difficult part of learning this type of art?

Patience… without a doubt.

At the beginning, artists may feel that progress is slow, but over time they begin to understand that the journey itself is part of the art.

Traditional arts teach you how to accept slowness and appreciate small details.

What does art mean to you today?

I feel that art has become a way for me to understand the world.

It is a space for reflection, calmness, and connection with heritage and beauty.

And every time I create a new artwork or ornament, I feel that I am still learning something new… and that is the most beautiful part of the journey.

A final message to art students?

Do not rush.

Real art takes time…
but every moment you spend learning will stay with you.

Observe details, be patient with yourself, and enjoy the journey before reaching the final result ✨