Letters in the Works Of Contemporary Iraqi Potter Akram Naji

Abstract

Since the long ages, the human race knew writing and putting down their knowledge. Letters were the only tool that humans created to write down their language. The sound of the of the letter kept its rituals. Writing is considered the highest cultural resultant the humankind has achieved, as it stands in the top of the material clues for cultural growth and advancement. Writing, perhaps, is on the most prominent artistic tools that the Muslim artist used, as Arab Muslims took it very seriously, as mentioned in the Quran. From here came the worshiping for the Arabic letter, as it is very precise due to writing down the holy book, Quran. Furthermore, the Arabic letter has a form and religious effect. The finely-drown line was equally important to pronouncing Quran holy words. This is what pushed the Muslim artist with all his energy and imagination to do their best at. As he was writing down the Quran on papers, he excelled and made it look incredible. These reasons are what pushed the Muslims to excel the art of writing since the beginning of their history. They even put all their energy and their belongings to excel this art of fine line and letter design. They treated the letters are sign of beauty. The Arabic letters were used on mosques and religious places as a beauty symbol. This art, nowadays, is unique in our culture. All Arabic designs remark the beauty of the letter and its holy meaning. Today, it stands as a symbol of pure beauty and form. The modern artist tries to get his inspiration and employment in all kinds of arts, including pottery, the modern Iraqi pottery, to be specific.