Art exhibition showcasing plants from Qur’an
Kew Gardens in the UK is currently hosting a captivating exhibition featuring beautiful drawings of plants mentioned in the Qur’an. Among the teachings and parables in the Qur’an, Muslim holy book, references to nature, particularly greenery, vegetation, and flowers, are prevalent.
Scientist and author Shahina Ghazanfar, along with New Zealand-based botanical illustrator Sue Wickison, co-created and curated this exceptional collection of artworks, as reported by metro.co.uk.
Titled ‘Plants of the Qur’an,’ the exhibition presents 30 exquisite paintings by Wickinson, showcased in Kew’s Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art. Each painting showcases a wide array of flora, including garlic, pomegranate, grapes, henna, and more, accompanied by informative insights into their significance within the religious text.
During her research for the book ‘Plants of the Qur’an: History & Culture,’ Shahina Ghazanfar delved into ancient Mesopotamian cuneiform texts and semitic languages such as Aramaic and Hebrew to identify plants without modern Arabic names. “Those were more difficult to trace back,” she shared. “Every plant has a historical and cultural attachment to it which we must never forget or lose.”
Sue Wickison, the artist behind the intricate botanical illustrations, expressed her fascination with Qur’anic flowers during a visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, known for its ornate decorations.
She remarked, “What intrigued me, apart from the incredible building, were the unusual botanical motifs all over the floors and columns and up on the ceilings — different from the geometric shapes.”
To accurately depict the plants, Sue embarked on a journey around the world, visiting the mountains of the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Fiji, and Australia.
She highlighted the importance of working from living material, saying, “The work takes hundreds of hours to produce. You must depict the plant accurately and aesthetically. Some of the plants I have grown myself at my home in New Zealand — or traveled into the mountains to find.”
The ‘Plants of the Qur’an’ exhibition at Kew Gardens will run until September 17, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to appreciate the intricate beauty of these botanical artworks and deepen their understanding of the plants’ significance within the religious context.