Alphabet No. 2Ibrahim El-Salahi · 1968

  • Creation date1968
  • Dimensions75.0 x 63.0 cm

Ibrahim El-Salahi (1930 –)

Explore the captivating art of Ibrahim El-Salahi, a Sudanese master of African Modernism & Hurufiyya. His paintings blend Islamic calligraphy, abstract forms, and cultural motifs. Discover his unique visual language!

Known for work that combines elements of Arabic calligraphy and African ornament and sculpture, Salahi was a leading figure of the Khartoum School, an art movement concerned with the production of a new Arab-African national aesthetic following Sudan’s independence in 1956. The artist has also described his paintings of this period as "things that had been created and that appeared to me and I reproduced them." This is reminiscent of Qu’ranic revelation, as well as of the Surrealists’ interest in visions and automatism, a technique in which the artist ceded conscious control to allow the creative forces of the unconscious to act. Here, the religious text and iconographic elements such as the openmouthed faces and the wheel or spoked circle evoke the sounds of recitation often associated with mourning, suggesting that the work is meant to be "heard," as well as seen.

About this artwork

  • Title: Alphabet No. 2
  • Artist: Ibrahim El-Salahi
  • Year: 1968
  • Original dimensions: 75.0 x 63.0 cm
  • Format: Portrait
  • Copyright status: Under copyright
  • Main color: Driftwood
  • Perceived brightness: bright

Questions & Answers

When was "Alphabet No. 2" made?

"Alphabet No. 2" dates from 1968. The date places the work within Ibrahim El-Salahi's career and its era.

Is "Alphabet No. 2" by Ibrahim El-Salahi a bright or a dark artwork?

The perceived brightness of "Alphabet No. 2" by Ibrahim El-Salahi is bright. It can be matched to the light of the intended space.

Is "Alphabet No. 2" free of copyright?

The copyright answer for "Alphabet No. 2" by Ibrahim El-Salahi: the work is still protected by copyright. This determines whether reproductions of the image may be freely made.

What kind of colors does "Alphabet No. 2" use?

The colors of "Alphabet No. 2" form an earthy palette. This classification describes the dominant color families.

What was Ibrahim El-Salahi's age when "Alphabet No. 2" was created?

Ibrahim El-Salahi was 38 years old when creating "Alphabet No. 2" in 1968. The age is computed from the artist's birth year, 1930.

Which artist is "Alphabet No. 2" attributed to?

"Alphabet No. 2" is attributed to Ibrahim El-Salahi.

What underlying hue runs through "Alphabet No. 2" by Ibrahim El-Salahi?

A golden yellow range hue runs through "Alphabet No. 2" by Ibrahim El-Salahi.

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