First let me give you a brief background to my work. I was greatly influenced by M.C. Escher. His art was inspired by the beautiful geometrical tiling patterns in Alhamra, Spain. Escher transformed the Islamic tile art and devised a completely new concept of tiling animal forms that would fill the plane. This was something novel. The idea of perfectly tiling such complex shapes of lizards, fish, birds and horses filled me with wonder.

 

What I have done is re-engineered the concept of art made from animal forms back into a purely Islamic art-form. I have replaced the tessellations of animal tiles by square kufic script. This is a completely new discovery. It looks so simple and obvious but no one throughout the centuries has pursued and developed this notion.

 

Moreover what distinguishes my script from that of other square kufic artists in history as well as recent times is that I do not exaggerate the writing to make it fit the space. Each word tile stands alone with perfect dimensions and proportionality even if taken out of the collective puzzle.

 

The geometric designs are visually captivating even if the observer cannot read the Arabic script. But it should be noted each design is a calligraphic work that is meant to be read. Also the visual effect changes with variation of observer distance, size and shape of the canvas, repetiton and size of the pattern and colour scheme. 

 

​Now about myself. I was born in Singapore in 1965. I immigrated to Canada at the age of seven. I grew up in Montreal. Oui je parle francais. I graduated from McGill University in 1988. Presently I am living in Toronto. 

 

I have been creating my unique  designs for twenty years. I have now decided to market them openly. I am looking for representation and sponsorship. Any word of advice, encouragement, suggestions and questions will be most welcome.