Calm during the storm: Bosnian-born artist Sandy Kurt on her journey with Islamic geometry

Islamic Geometric Patterns (IGP) are one of the most well-known forms of expression in Islamic art and architecture, applied almost everywhere where Islamic culture is dominant. Along with the world, interest in geometric patterns has increased in Turkey. Islamic geometric patterns artist Sandy Kurt is also closely followed by those interested in the subject both from Turkey and around the globe. We had a pleasant conversation with Sandy, who was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina and currently lives in Italy, about her journey with geometric patterns.

When I was a little kid I remember my father drawing portraits on scrap paper.

His drawings were far from being perfect but I admired him because to me he was an artist. I think I was 6 or 7 years old then.

In high school, I slowly started doing the same. I was hooked by people's hands so I was constantly drawing them. But I also made a couple of portraits as my friends' birthday gift. It was all black and white as I loved using carbon and pencils and I couldn't think of me using colours. I even tried with acrylics but it wasn't my medium.

I couldn't attend the art school because I knew it wouldn't have given me the right skills to find a good job one day and I couldn't afford to live on my parents' back for very long.

It was very hard to improve my skills without the right guidance and knowledge and I wasn't satisfied with my art. I think that's when my perfectionism started to show up.

I was so frustrated by the imperfections that I was constantly giving away my artworks and eventually stopped drawing for a very long time.

When I was around 24-25 years old I started drawing mandalas. I was in love with it because it was black and white art in a very geometrical way which allowed me to satisfy the perfectionist in me. But again, I wasn't satisfied. I felt like something was missing and I knew it wasn't my style. I couldn't find my voice and all I did was copying other artists' artwork.

Somehow I came across an Islamic geometric pattern on Pinterest and I felt attracted by it like a magnet.

I had no clue how to draw it so I measured all the distances with my ruler.

Then I found an online course and learned how to draw basic geometric shapes with a compass and ruler. The rest is history.

Islamic geometry to me is the calm during the storm, it's the moment of stillness in a chaotic life, it's the deep breath that helps you face the world.

The peacefulness that I feel in every construction line, stroke or shape is something that I wish everybody could witness in their life.

When I learned about IGP I still didn't know about Islam and calligraphy. I mean, I knew they existed but I wasn't connecting them with Islamic art. Although I really admire the artists that do the other type of art I feel like that is not my field/ my style.

There is something so calming in knowing that everything I do is a straight line. No freehand curves, no imperfections. And I know that perfection belongs to the Almighty and not to the men, but seeking perfection is something that is part of us.

It is indeed. I feel more calm and balanced now.

As a teenager, I was very troubled and I knew I needed a mean to release my stress but I didn't know what to do. Growing up I ended up hiding the stress with compulsive shopping and food. I know it sounds stupid but back then I was very insecure. I felt like trapped in a world where I didn't want to live. I wish I knew about IGP before.

Now I know that art is essential for a healthy mind, body and spirit.

You are right. Practice is the rule number one if you want to learn this art form. Patience is rule number two. I get a lot of messages from people that are frustrated because they can't draw something or their artwork is not accurate enough. And I totally get it. But what most people don't understand is that the journey is more important than the outcome.

Put some music on, breathe, relax and draw. If you don't know how to draw something it simply means you are not ready for that. Draw something else and in a couple of weeks, you will understand how to do it.

I have a full-time job and sometimes it is very hard to find time for art. Especially because we all have a ton of other things to do in life such as grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc.

Plus there is all the admin stuff to do like updating my Instagram and website, writing my blog, replying to emails and DMs, making tutorials and videos, etc.

But I try my best to find time for it. For example, IGP is very good after dinner before bedtime. It relaxes you so you are ready to sleep.

Or for example on weekend days. That's when I draw. I can't say that I'm constantly making art but I've learnt to not stress myself about that as I know I'm doing my best.

It depends. Sometimes there is a pattern that speaks to me and I want to recreate it. Other times it starts with an idea and then I search for patterns.

I have two kinds of inspiration: the first one is visual and it is usually applied to colours and drawing techniques.

The other one is more spiritual: I get inspired by friendly talks with myself in my head when I analyse something I did or that happened to me or chats with family and friends or even something that happened in the world that touched me in a particular way. Topics such as life experiences, immigration, speciesism, sexism, faith, cosmos, human nature…Anything that helps me understand different points of view, deepen my knowledge and connect with nature.

Once I choose the pattern I spend a lot of time analysing it and reconstructing it.

This means that I try to understand what is the underlying grid which the pattern derives from.

I never copy the pattern itself because trying to understand how to construct it by myself is a lot more satisfying. You earn so much confidence after that.

Then comes the colour palette. And this is the hardest part for me. Being able to translate what I want to say through colours is challenging. I do many trials and try to visualize the end design. Even the way I apply colour can be a great way to describe the meaning of the artwork. When I'm happy with my choice I carry on with it.

If you look at my art you can clearly say that I like Moroccan and Spanish geometric art.

Zellige design is so pleasing to watch and the intricacy of the patterns is so challenging that I like it.

I love other styles as well but with zellige patterns, I can hear my heart sing.

When you go to Alhambra or in Morocco and you look at those designs very closely you can admire their beauty. But when you take a step back and look at them from a distance, the use of colours is mind-blowing. You can find a whole new meaning just by changing your perspective.

Four years ago Samira Mian introduced me to Islamic geometry, then Jeea Mirza made me appreciate watercolours. Last but not least Maaida Noor enchanted me with miniature geometry.

Many other artists helped me grow but I think that without these 3 I wouldn't be here today

This is something that I've noticed too during these years.

When I started studying IGP four years ago only a few artists were doing this and showing their work on the internet. There were only 1 or 2 online courses and so little free stuff to learn from. But luckily more and more people got interested in this art form and you can tell we are a pretty big community now.

Islamic art legacy is not only in the palaces, madrasas or mosques. It's in our homes too. Passing down this kind of art through everyone's work is a great way to keep Islamic art alive. I think that we should all stop being scared of not being good enough.

What do you think when you think of art? I think of Picasso, Da Vinci, or any other artist you study at school.

And I see so many people giving up on art because they think they are not good enough in creating something. But that's not the purpose of art.

I think that it's a great way to keep the art alive.

Maybe the materials have changed but the aim is the same.

Once you had craftsmen engraving art on copper trays, cups etc. Nowadays you have prints on plastic trays, cups etc.

We have to adapt to the changing world. There was a point in history when mankind stopped making great and eye-pleasing art and architecture and started using prefabricated materials. We have so many "standard" buildings nowadays and if that means that we have to apply IGP on other things I'm completely ok with that.

Without mentioning that not everyone lives in countries where IGP is something normal.

If a Moroccan tile souvenir is something that makes someone happy and makes him think of his hometown I'm happy that way. Maybe his son or grandson will find some interest in that tile and ask where it comes from. It's a good way to keep traditions alive too.

More in general, we can't control or stop the changing times but we can make research and make our life choices.

In 2019 I attended a course in Spain and one of the coordinators was also working on the preservation of old Qurans found in the area. She showed us a couple of them. They were all handwritten and handpainted and their beauty was breath-taking. Then she showed us a new Quran. The cover was made of plastic and inside there was the logo of the company on the first and last page. This is our society today: cheap and made of plastic. And I think it's true and very sad.

But on the other hand, if you think about it, the word of God is still alive. And I would prefer a Quran made of plastic instead of having nothing at all. Maybe that's the only one that someone can afford.

Turkey and Bosnia have a lot of common, such as history, culture and religion. And there is still very close cooperation between the two countries. Within this context, if I ask you about Turkey, what can you tell us?

In 2018 I made a research on Islamic art in Bosnia.

I was asked to make 6 designs to be used on prayer mats and I wanted to do something inspired by Islamic geometry in my country.

I thought it was a great way to learn something about my origins

It's useless to say that what we have there is all thanks to the Ottomans and it's very frustrating to see that no one cares about it or try to preserve it.

That's why I had to change the subject and instead of doing 6 designs based on IGP in Bosnia I chose IGP in Europe.

More in general, I'm very happy to see the collaboration within our two countries. Travelling to Turkey from Bosnia is very convenient and believe me when I say that this is something huge for people that can't afford travelling. Also being able to study in Turkey is very important and it's all due to the close relationship between the countries.

All I can say is that Istanbul was one of the cities I wanted to visit in 2020 before Covid showed up. Istanbul is one of my mum's dreams and although I'm sure that there are a lot of other less-known places in Turkey worth the visit I want to start with Istanbul and then we can go on from there. So I'm pretty excited to book my flight as soon as the worldwide situation clears up.

Serap Ekizler Sönmez is a great artist and teacher. I admire her for the work she does to help others learn IGP and spread this art form.

What I suggest is to start with the basics.

I can see people rushing to the most complicated pattern because they want to do something cool way before they are ready for it. Then they spend a lot of time stressing over it and searching for someone to help them. What happens in most cases is that they don't understand anything about it and the next time they try another complex pattern they are at the same point.

I think it's great to be curious and to challenge oneself. I started like that too. But we also have to be humble and understand when something is bigger than us.

It takes time and it takes practice and patience.

This doesn't mean that you have to give up and never try this art form.

We have to change our consumerism mindset of "HERE AND NOW" and learn that we have to slow down and enjoy the process instead.

During the war, our house was burnt down. I was only one years old when we escaped so I can't remember anything. But we moved from country to country before arriving in Italy.

Sincerely, I'm so grateful for my parents to have left that place for a better future for me and my sister. Their tears and hard work have allowed us to live the life that we want, study, work, travel. Many things that most people in Bosnia cannot do even nowadays.

We arrived in Italy when I was 4 and I attended all schools there. Growing up I always felt different from other people: not Italian enough to be Italian, nor Bosnian enough to be Bosnian. You are treated like a foreigner in both countries and I'm sure this is how most of the diaspora feels.

But then I just accepted it. It's clear that my name is not Italian but I speak Italian fluently and even better than some Italians. I'm a mix between the two cultures and that's a great treasure to cherish.

I love Bosnia and I think that it's a BEAUTIFUL country. You can't even imagine how beautiful nature is over there.

But I don't like the people ruling the country and what they are doing.

I don't think I will ever return living there but never say never in life, right?