Outline
Introduction
• The development of visual art in Islam.
o Historical, cultural, and religious contexts that influenced the creation of visual arts.
Thesis Statement
o Visual arts in Islam contain aesthetic values inspired by the artists’ cultural, historical,
and religious values and beliefs that inform the theme conveyed through the artworks’
elements and subjects.
Body
• Islam’s perspectives of visual art.
o Historical development of visual arts in Islam.
o Visual arts in Islam define human nature and needs, their historical context, and
religious beliefs.
o Visual arts act as a core component that awakens religious consciousness in Islam.
• Muslim artists’ inspiration and constraints of creating visual art.
o Cultural and religious factors that influence how visual arts is created and presented
in Islam.
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o Sharia law plays a critical role in the development of visual arts in Islam, as it
influences the philosophical and religious connotations associated with a piece of art.
• Analysis of Kedai-Kedai (1973) by Zulkifli Dahlan.
o Themes that influence the development of the aesthetic visuals in Kedai-Kedai.
o Social, cultural, and religious factors that inspired the creation of Kedai-Kedai.
o The relevance of Kedai-Kedai to Islam religion.
• Analysis of Bowl with man holding a cup and a flowering branch (Abbasid, 9th-11th)
o Aesthetic visuals of Bowl with man holding a cup and a flowering branch (Abbasid,
9th-11th).
o Historical and cultural themes that influence the visual elements in Bowl with man
holding a cup and a flowering branch (Abbasid, 9th-11th).
Conclusion
• Visual art plays a critical role in the Islam religion.
• The development of visual art in Islam is influenced by cultural, historical, and religious
factors.
• Muslim artists’ visual art differ based on factors that inspire them to create artworks.
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Research Question: How does visual art as a core component of Islamic religion guide believers
to experience religious consciousness in different historical contexts?
a. Why the Research Question is Important
This research question is important as it explores the perspective of Islam through visual
art. It is possible to understand the role of visual art in forming and explaining the Islamic
concept through this research question. In Islam, art is considered a core component of
humanity. Thus, this research seeks to investigate how visual art in Islam awakens religious 1
consciousness. For instance, the question will be used to examine how Islamic religious
practices are based on different aspects of human nature that are awakened through religious
consciousness. It is possible to understand the development of visual art in Islam and its impacts
on its religious practices, values, and beliefs through this research.
Society perceives art as an artistic creation that conveys a specific message; thus, this
research is crucial in understanding the value of visual art in Islam. Although visual art is
consistently changing, its visual and philosophical perspectives must be based on strong Islamic
teachings. Therefore, in Islam, visual art is founded on the teaching and learning of Allah SWT,
Daud, Wan Samiati Andriana W Mohamad, and Dzul Haimi Md Zain. “Challenges in 1
Islamic Visual Art.” International Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education 4, no. 8
(2017): 15-18. https://doi.org/10.20431/2349-0381.0408002
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and it must be aligned with values and beliefs that are accepted in the Islamic religion.2
Additionally, this research is important as it evaluates how Muslim artists may create artifacts
that defy the Islamic teachings and lessons. Some Muslim artists have defied Islamic Sharia
when developing visual artifacts. Islamic organizations in different parts of the world continue to
defend the guidelines for creating visual arts. However, some Muslim artists still use their ideas
and creativity to create artworks that do not comply with Sharia laws. Consequently, this
research question will investigate how the Sharia laws influence the development of visual
artwork.
b. How Research Question Might Contribute to Understanding the Topic
Research guided by the question above will contribute to one’s understanding of the topic
since it explores the development of visual arts in Islam. By investigating how visual arts have
developed as part of Islamic religious practices, this research question will enable the audience to
gain extensive knowledge of what differentiates visual arts in Islamic religion and its impacts on
the believers’ values, beliefs, and actions.
c. How the Images Found Relate to the Research Question
Fig. 1: Kedai-kedai, 1973
Ramli, Ishak, Mohamad Noorman Masrek, Muhamad Abdul Aziz Ab Gani, D’Zul 2
Haimi Md Zain, Muhamad Rahimi Osman, Mumtaz Mohktar, Suhaimi Tular, and Zarlina Mohd
Zamri. “Visual Art From The Perspectives Of Islamic Shariah: A Need Assessment
Analyses.” IJASOS- International E-journal of Advances in Social Sciences, 2017, 276. https://
doi.org/10.18769/ijasos.309687
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Source: Ramli et al.
The above image by Zulkifli Dahlan shows a visual artwork of people in a busy town.
However, the artwork does not comply with the Islamic Shariah laws. The artwork contains nude
subjects, which is not in accordance with Sharia laws, and that contradicts Islamic cultural values
and beliefs.
Fig. 2: Bowl with Man Holding a Cup and a Flowering Branch (Abbasid, 9th-11th)