From Text to Transcendence: The “Sacred” in Rasheed Butt’s Calligraphic Art скачать в хорошем качестве

From Text to Transcendence: The “Sacred” in Rasheed Butt’s Calligraphic Art

Presented at the 2025 Jeffrey Rubinoff Company of Ideas Forum on Art and the Sacred Ambreen Shehzad Hussaini From Text to Transcendence: The “Sacred” in Rasheed Butt’s Calligraphic Art This paper examines how sacredness is not merely represented through art but is actively constituted through intellectual and aesthetic engagement, focusing on the inquiry-based calligraphic practice of renowned Pakistani artist Rasheed Butt. Drawing on both scholarly research and personal experience as an art practitioner, I argue that sacredness emerges through the intentional interplay between belief, intellect (ʿaql), and artistic form. In Islamic traditions,ʿaql is understood not simply as a rational faculty, but as a deeper ontological capacity—one that enables the human mind to engage with the unseen (ghayb) and the metaphysical. Rasheed Butt’s calligraphy exemplifies what I describe as a form of sacred aesthetics—a mode of artistic creation that both conceals and reveals, inviting the viewer into an experience of taḥqīq (verification and realization of knowledge). His works often obscure Qur’anic text in visually intricate compositions that require slow, contemplative engagement. This deliberate illusion fosters an intellectual and spiritual relationship with the artwork, prompting reflection not only on the text but also on the self. Rather than approaching Islamic calligraphy solely through taxonomical or art historical frameworks, this paper emphasizes process, intention, and viewer response. It proposes that sacred art is not defined by content alone, but by the capacity of the artwork to activate deeper levels of perception, contemplation, and moral self-cultivation. In doing so, the paper reframes sacredness as a relational and experiential phenomenon—made tangible through aesthetic form and inner inquiry. Ambreen Shehzad Hussaini Ambreen S. Hussaini is a talib-e-ilm, which in her culture means a seeker of knowledge and truth. She has a profound interest in the contemplative and meditative capacity of Arabic Qur’anic calligraphy, utilizing this art form to reflect upon and connect with something beyond her own physical being. She is a doctoral candidate within the Art History and Visual Studies Department at the University of Victoria, Canada. With a rich academic background, she completed a Master of Arts in Islamic Studies from the University of Karachi, followed by a Master of Arts in Muslim Cultures from the Aga Khan University - Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilizations in the UK. Additionally, she holds a diploma in Arabic Language from the Society for the Promotion of Arabic Language, Pakistan, along with qualifications in Fine Arts from the Karachi School of Arts and Diploma in Multimedia from Arena Multimedia. Her current research delves into the contemporary artistic expressions of the Qur’an, specifically exploring how contemporary Pakistani artists interpret the Word of God through their artistic endeavors. Her doctoral work concentrates on the societal significance of the Qur’anic text in Pakistan. With a keen focus on the intersection of art, religion, and culture, her scholarly pursuits contribute to a deeper understanding of the contemporary cultural landscape of Pakistan and the multifaceted ways in which the Qur’anic text is interpreted and integrated into artistic expressions. As she enters her final year and prepares to defend her thesis, Ambreen's diligent research promises to offer valuable insights into the intricate relationships between faith, creativity, and social dynamics.