Art of Islamic Pattern

General information

Founded by tutors Adam Williamson and Richard Henry

In these unique skills based courses students use traditional methods to explore a range of classic Islamic designs and learn how to integrate freehand biomorphic motifs (Islimi/Arabesque) with geometric pattern. Students also have the opportunity to develop work using traditional techniques, including painting, gilding, ceramics, marquetry, stone and plaster carving. The practical work is supplemented by contextual slide lectures and the underlying symbolism of the forms is examined.

The courses are led by artist/geometer Richard Henry and sculptor/calligrapher Adam Williamson. Richard and Adam have given workshops, presentations and public lectures at many of the leading cultural and educational institutions in the UK and beyond, including:-

The British Museum, The British Library, The Victoria & Albert Museum, Shakespeare's Globe, The Prince's School of Traditional Arts, The Slade School of Fine Art, Central St. Martins, The Royal Society, Asia House, The National Portrait Gallery, Cambridge University, Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Pardis University, Isfahan and Zaytuna College, Berkeley, USA.

They have also led educational tours to the Alhambra in Granada, where students stayed in the stunning Moorish district of the Albaicin, completed a 4-day study tour of Istanbul, hosted by the Istanbul Design Centre in a 17th Century Tekke (pilgrimage lodge) located in the historic heart of Sultanahmet and have recently returned from a study tour of the medina in Fez.