Golden Pages

In this episode of the Golden Pages podcast, we meet multi-media artist Sara Davis, a specialist in the art of illumination, medieval manuscripts, and woodworking.  From her early love for art, encouraged by her creative mother and grandmother, Sara shares her journey into studying fine art and further specialising in wood carving and gilding at the City and Guilds of London Art School. We explore...

Clarissa Grandi is a UK-based artist, author, and teacher who beautifully intertwines mathematics, art, and nature in her work. In this episode of the Golden page podcast, Clarissa  introduces us to her unique blend of teaching that revives the study of mathematics, infusing it with the vibrancy of art. We discuss her journey into the world of Islamic geometry, elaborating on the inspiration she g...

Simran Kaur Panesar is a Kenyan born artist, living in London, with roots hailing in Punjab and India. Simran's work in miniature paintings, frescos and motifs is a testament to the rich heritage of Sikhism, interweaving tales of her Kenyan roots and Punjab lineage in the strokes of her brush.    In this episode of the Golden Pages podcast, Simran takes us through the intriguing world of Indian an...

Nagihan Seymour is a UK based Turkish artist with a captivating journey from materials engineer to a Tezhip illumination, ceramic & sacred geometry artist and teacher. In this episode of the Golden Pages podcast, Nagihan reveals to us how her engineering background played a critical role in her artistry and opens up about the invaluable lessons she learned from her mentor.  We discuss how respect...

Dr Federica Gigante is the curator of the collection from the Islamic World in the History of Science Museum at Oxford University. From the intricate beauty of Islamic metalworks to the challenges of cataloging, she offers us an enlightening experience in this episode of the Golden Pages podcast. We explore the world of Islamic metalworks, shedding light on their advanced sophistication. Our conve...

Joumana Medlej is a renowned artist, author, and educator from Lebanon. Her distinct visual language, steeped in the historical, compositional, and order aspects of the Arabic alphabet, is drawn from the rich influence of early Islamic art. In this episode of the Golden Pages podcast, Joumana shares intricate details about her latest masterpiece, the Book of Abjad, which explores the alphanumerica...

Dr Annabel Gallop is the lead curator of the Southeast Asia collection at the British Library. She has an eye for the unique and distinctive, and a penchant for Malay seals, illuminated Malay letters, and Quranic manuscripts.  In this episode of the Golden Pages Podcast, we navigate the vast collection of the British Library, home to approximately 500 Indonesian manuscripts. Dr Gallop elaborates o...

Journey through the celestial origins of gold and its transformation into the soul of magnificent artwork in this enriching conversation with Master Gilder Richard Walker. In this episode of the Golden Pages podcast, Richard shares his passion for this craft, his favorite techniques, and his unique experiences. From selecting the right kind of gold leaf to the intricate art of sealing, he reveals...

This show will shine the light on arts from the Islamic lands such as traditional manuscripts, Illumination, gilding techniques, miniature, calligraphy, ornamentation and bookmaking traditions. All of these subjects will also be taught in our school so keep an eye on our website: https://socofujairah.ae