Ruh al-Alam
 |
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page.
|
| Ruh al-'Alam | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ruhul Alam |
| Born | 1981 (age 31–32) Wapping, London, England |
| Spouse | Iythar |
| Nationality | British |
| Field | Calligraphy |
| Training | Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design |
| Movement | Visual Dhikr |
| Website | www.visualdhikr.com |
Ruh al-'Alam (Arabic: روح العالم; born Ruhul Alam Bengali: রুহুল আলম 1981) is an English Islamic artist who creates mainly works of Islamic calligraphy, and is the founder of Visual Dhikr, which is an Islamic calligraphic artwork project.
Early life
Alam was born in London, England, and was brought up in Wapping, East London. He is of Bangladeshi descent,[1][2] He started to be interested in Art since his childhood, when he was fascinated with inventing and drawing.[2][3]
Alam attended the Harry Gosling Primary School and Stepney Green School for Boys, during his years in education including college and university, he took every opportunity of learning art, he had a passion for graphic design which led to the interest of calligraphy, through the appreciation of Typography and Islamic Art.[4]
His languages include, English, Bengali, and Arabic (including Egyptian Arabic). On 2000, Alam studied A-levels at Leyton Sixth Form College in Fine Art, Graphic Design and Media. From 2000 to 2003, he studied at the Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design and he graduated in Illustration and Graphic Design. He then studied at the Arabic Calligraphy (Thuluth, Kufic and Diwani) in Egypt from 2004 to 2006, but remains a student of calligraphy.
Career
Alam works under the title of "Visual Dhikr," which means visual remembrance, Dhikr in Arabic means the remembrance of God. He is known to be the first person to have coined the term ‘Visual Dhikr,’ which technically does not exist in the Islamic or Muslim terminology. In 2000, he created the term, however he officially launched the public website in 2003 with the same title and concept, which is now a trade marked name.[4]
The early works of Ruh al-'Alam, at the Central St Martins College of Art & Design, included artworks of cartoons which was concerned about health such as drugs or smoking, including about western culture, and also Palestine.[5] He comes from a traditional graphic design, photography and illustration background. Ruh al-'Alam has also worked on video and Motion FX projects, his most recent piece was about the project Visual Dhikr.[6]
In 2006, Alam was commissioned by Sony BMG to work on the Danish group 'Outlandish', album cover art, also by Sony to contribute to an exhibition with the Sony PSP hand-held device. In 2007, he was commissioned by the KM Holding Group for Tamani Hotels, Dubai.[citation needed]
He has exhibited in numerous other places (United Kingdom and abroad) with different types of work; ranging from illustration, fine art, photography, graphic design and film. In particular in 2004, he held many exhibitions which were included at the Multi Faith Week in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on October, on February he held exhibitions at Cambridge University, King’s University, and at the Kufa Gallery. An exhibition of "Dhikhrullah" (Ruh al-'Alam, Abu Ta-Ha, Mohammed Ali, Vaseem Mohammed, Raadhiyah Bint-Safar and Ayesha Ahmad) was held at the Whitechapel Centre from 28 March to 3 April.
Recognition
Alam’s rise to prominence within the Muslim community comes mainly through his website presence and contributions to charity auctions. Recent appearances have been on Press TV on a show hosting the topic Faith and Art. He has also been recognised and featured in the British Foreign Office’s Islam in Britain publication (circa 2005).
Personal life
Alam resides in London, and is married to Egyptian British artist, Iythar.[7]
References
- ^ "Ruh al-Alam". khtt.net. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
- ^ a b "Gaining Art Inspiration from Islam (Audio)". British Satellite News. 5 September 2005. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
- ^ "Ruh al-'Alam". PSP - the beautiful script. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
- ^ a b "Official Website". Visual Dhikr. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
- ^ "Ruh al-'Alam". Artshole. Retrieved 6 June 2009. Ruh al-'Alam
- ^ "VDO by Visual Dhikr". 9 November 2006. Retrieved 6 June 2009. Ruh al-'Alam
- ^ "Biography". Iythar - Fine Artist. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
External links
- Arabesque Ruh's work is featured in an Arabesque: Graphic Design from the Arab World and Persia
- Emel Magazine Ruh al-'Alam was the cover story in Emel Magazine
Digital Creative Arts Magazine - 'Day in the Life of...' feature on Ruh al-Alam
- Guardian Mentioned in "
The biggest star in the Middle East is a Brit" The Guardian, Thursday 27 April 2006
- Unity Magazine Unity Magazine Article Feature
- Gaining Art Inspiration from Islam British Satellite News Feature
Press TV Guest on the NEXUS show discussing Islamic Art & Design
- Elan Magazine, Summer 2008 Feature on Visual Dhikr
- Elaph, Arabic Online Publication Feature on Ruh & Iythar
- Portfolio.com Quoted on Dubai art scene
- Visual Dhikr Official Website of the artist
- MCB Interview by MCBDirect
- Aaminah Hernandez Interview Aaminah Hernández artist interview
- Sony PSP Sony PSP Exhibition
- Islamic Men's Casual Wear by Visual Dhikr
