The Tree of Life

Ishita Bansal

I’m currently studying in American University in Dubai, majoring in Management. MEST is a part of my course requirement. I take personal interest in exploring different religions especially Islam since its been more than 2 years of me living in Dubai. In these years I have change a lot of misconceptions about Islam and Muslims community, which inspired me to learn more about it in college. 

Our workshop about Arabesque was something that quite interested me. After the workshop I did few research on Arabesque. Author, Marina Alin inspired me to study more about biomorphic pattern. The author has wide knowledge about this type of art style in relation to the Islamic civilization. In her piece of work on Islamic art and architecture website, she provides extensive information about Arabesques, its history and art works made in the history. Amongst the 16 art works she talked about Tree of life was something I could relate to todays world and Islamic civilization very well.   

Wooden carving is the medium used in the making of Tree of life. Style used is biomorphic patterns, focusing on Arabesque. There are three major Arabesque styles used in the Islamic world, but the one used in this art piece is the ‘Tree of Life.’ This symbolizes connection between paradise and earth. I will be deconstructing this artwork by painting it golden and silver symbolizing, power and wealth. Black color will be chipping off in the background symbolizing death. I will be sticking cut outs of the pattern made on the art work on a hollow coconut. That hollow coconut is symbolizing the destruction done to planet earth through human activities.  The stereotype in the Islamic civilization, that praying 5 times a day and going to mosque will get a person closer to paradise. This stereotype came into my attention when I read, “Your position in paradise is determined by the amount of quran you memorize in this life!” by Aboo Daawood. 

In my opinion ones action will be determined if they are getting closer to paradise or not. The piece of work, which I choose, is depicting the living of nomads where animals and plants were the most crucial for survival. But in today’s world people are destroying this environmentally through their activities and by being materialistic. The new artwork, which I am constructing, is actually depicting the living of today.  The stereotype that I’m trying to break is that being religious doesn’t make you closer to paradise rather your actions do. Islam is world’s most growing religion in the world but this does not mean that the world is getting better or people are getting closer to paradise. Rather people are being more selfish and greedy for power and wealth. This has caused the tree of life to shrink and people moving towards a deceptive direction in life.