Najaah v from the collection of RadiantArts

Najaah v, 2025

24ct Pure shell gold, gouache and natural pigments on Indian Hemp paper

7 x 6 in

Inv: IQ6.10

Available

This series of miniature paintings explore the unfolding of ishq, the love that dissolves the self and reveals something far more luminous. The cypress tree stands at the heart of each work, a figure long celebrated in Persian gardens, Urdu poetry, Arabic mystical writings and the visual traditions of the Indian subcontinent.

Wahdat al Wujood speaks of the understanding that all existence is one continuous expression of the Divine. As the blossoms encircle the cypress, the boundary between tree and vine begins to soften. Their meeting gestures toward union — the same union sung by Rumi, whispered in Urdu couplets and painted in Indian miniature traditions for centuries.

Najah is a set of six small works that trace the quiet steps toward unity.

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About the artist

Alefiya Abbas Ali

Alefiya is a renowned traditional Islamic artist from Karachi, Pakistan, with a Fine Arts degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Traditional Islamic Arts, achieved with distinction. Her expertise stems from a deep understanding of traditional arts, combined with skill and creativity.
She draws inspiration from the Islamic arts and architecture of the Mamluk, Safavid, Fatimid, and Mughal eras, Alefiya's work has been featured in numerous national and international exhibitions, with pieces held in private collections worldwide.
As an experienced educator, Alefiya conducts in-person and online workshops, finding joy in sharing her knowledge with others. She is dedicated to preserving traditional methods, including crafting paints from natural pigments and creating Shell gold from pure gold leaves.
Alefiya's ultimate goal is to revive and celebrate traditional Islamic arts, ensuring their recognition and appreciation in contemporary times, just as they were in the past.