Faraz Khan is a Pakistani American visual artist from Princeton area. He is involved at Princeton University as an art consultant on numerous projects with Near Eastern Studies Department and Office of Religious Life – Muslim Chaplaincy. Setting: Princeton University Campus:

Narration:
Growing up learning Urdu, I was intrigued by words that depicted forms. Back then in my younger years, I would read children’s books and see hansi (smile), ghussa (anger) naach (dance), zaeef (old), and other words forming a mental picture. I would see the word “hansi” as a vibrant smile, “ghussa” as an angry word that is barely able to hold back, “naach” as the word itself would frolic in front of my eyes, and “zaeef” as an old and feeble word in need of my help. Later, I would move to America and learn English as a second language. The caveat I found was that it wasn’t Urdu language that formed these pictograms but these images were a product of my own imagination. This idea of learning pictograms would come back one more time when I moved to Damascus in 2002 to study the Arabic language. Thus, it was the beginning of my fascination to make words smile, show anger, dance, and become old to others.

ARTinspiration 

The Beauty of the Quranic Calligraphy – Nasta’liq

Sundays 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Date: January 12, 19, & 26
Fee: $75 + art supplies $15 New Brunswick Islamic Center – www.NBIC.org

Instructors:  Areej Sabzwari of AREEJ ARTS – Asma Shikoh of ASMASHIKOH.com – Asma Waheed of ASMA WAHEED ART GALLERY  – Faraz Khan of Faraz Khan Art Studio

www.FarazKhanArtStudio.com
Ever wonder if art could be hijacked? If someone could silent all the artists or bribe them to never create anything worth imagining?

Art has been hijacked by cheap plastic replicas all over the Muslim world. Artists have been silent and intimidated in the Muslim community where they fear going against the factory art, “Made in China” Goliath who has entered every house for 99 cents only! In these circumstances, there are those who dare to stand up and walk in the path of David. ARTinspiration is our story of learning, inspiring and supporting ART within the American Muslim community.

Photo: Lafz Jalalah at the New Brunswick Islamic Center by Faraz Khan

Islamic Art Class:
A three-session interactive workshop on Islamic art & calligraphy will focus on the basics of Nasta’liq Calligraphy style. The workshop will cover recognition of aqlam al-sittah – kufi, diwani, naskh, nastaliq, riqa, etc. Calligraphy lessons will include different techniques of improving Arabic writing and dot/letter standards to perfect Arabic calligraphy. The students will practice lettering and design – with the help of a projector and practice books. Students will view one of the largest hand-written Quran in nastaliq style by late khattat Ishrat Ali Khan and other artworks of the master calligrapher. The art will serve as an inspiration to the young and old in the audience. This seminar focuses on student projects and learning. A special art presentation and talk will be given by local Muslim artists.

New Brunswick Islamic Center – www.nbic.org
Sundays 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Date: January 12, 19, & 26
Registration/Fee: www.farazkhanartstudio.com/blog

More Artwork: http://faraz-khan.artistwebsites.com

Watch this video before you decide to decorate your home with forged made in China factory plastic art.
My tagline for this feed. How Factory Art from China Kills creativity. On one hand we have Modern Art that has gone wayward and on the other we have factory made “art” that is decorated but not celebrated in the Muslim world. These factory made decals and stickers, ja-e-namaz/sajada and zikr beads, tapestries and wall hangings are used as simple tools and not revered objects of love and beauty as they ought to be. My mission in life is to launch an art movement that will raise awareness, educate, and spread art made by people with love and reverence.