Blue Square
Blue Square, 2023, Hadil Tamim, gouache, REDMG: 2022.6.1, gift of the artist. Copyright: the artist. Photo: Reading Museum, Reading Borough Council
Hadil Tamim is a Reading resident and teacher. She studied design in Turkey and is at the heart of artistic life in Reading.
Tamim combined her deep knowledge of traditional Islamic design with motifs found on objects in the Museum to make this painting.
In the museum Tamim found tile designs as well as domes, arches and other architectural shapes that resembled those usually included in Islamic patterns. The cobalt blue that she used throughout the design is also typically Islamic. However, the range of stylised flowers that she included reflect the richness of the natural life in Reading.
Tamim has always made work based on the buildings and flowers around her. In her book Islamic Art Meets British Flowers all the designs were inspired by Reading buildings and flowers. It is available in the Museum shop.
