“Light Over Shadows” is a two-piece artwork containing multiple artistic elements that can reflect the influences of China and Arab states.

Made of translucent donkey skin, the work has two featured factors. One is the “blue” colour that represents the advancement and sustaining prosperity of Chinese culture. The other one is “calligraphy”, a visual art form originating from China and the Arab world.

An Arabian letter w (which means “and”) is repeatedly used in one of the leather-carving pieces, while noor’ala noor (which means “enlightenment”), an Arabian phrase, is repeated in the other piece. The two pieces are displayed back to back with light in the middle. Their shadows cast by the light are interlaced, producing a magical visual effect. These shadows resemble Chinese “shadow puppets”, an old narrative form dating from China and then spread to the rest of the world including Egypt and the Middle East.

“Light Over Shadows” was inspired by the possibility of “unlimited enlightenment”, which can be achieved once people know the best of the universe and themselves.

Courtesy of the artist and Galleria Continua