Sixteen-Fold in Blue
Sixteen-Fold in Blue
Artist
Natasha Mann.
Artwork Title & Inspiration
'Sixteen-Fold in Blue’
This limited edition Zouaq painting is inspired by a zellīj (Moroccan mosaic) formation from the Bahia Palace (Arabic: قصر الباهية, Berber: ⵜⴰⴳⴰⴷⵉⵔⵜ ⵏ Иⴱⴰⵀⵢⴰ), a late 19th-century palace in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Artwork Category
Zouaq.
Physical Description
The painted geometric pattern consists of a sixteen-fold central rosette surrounded by four eight-fold designs. It is made using natural pigments (see below) with egg tempera and 24k gold leaf on wood. The geometric design was first created by hand using a compass and rule.
Natural pigments: Pink/red earth from an Icelandic volcano. Yellow ochre, pale grey earth and green earth from France. Azurite from Algeria and the indigo from Morocco.
Dimensions & Weight
68 x 68 cm & 3.2kg.
Country of Origin
United Kingdom.
LOT 74
Natasha Mann
Natasha is an artist who uses traditional methods to create bespoke pieces for interiors and fine artworks. Her work is predominantly inspired by traditional Moroccan architectural painting on wood, known as Zouaq painting.
Natasha studied this form of Moroccan decorative painting during a year long apprenticeship with a master in Fez, 2007. All her pieces are made from natural materials, using hand ground pigments mixed with egg tempera and 24 karat gold leaf. All geometric patterns are hand drawn using a compass and rule. She creates decorative paintings for interiors such as panels, murals and ceiling designs; small decorative objects such as boxes and lamps; and individual framed paintings and drawings.
Natasha holds a degree in Arabic and French from The University of Cambridge, an MA in Spanish and Moroccan Medieval Art from the Courtauld Institute of Art and an MA from the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts, which was funded by the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST). On completion of her degree in 2014, Natasha was awarded the Barakat Prize for Islamic Art by HRH The Prince of Wales. In 2018 Natasha was selected to take part in the Prince and Patron Exhibition at Buckingham Palace to mark the 70th Birthday of HRH The Prince of Wales.
VIDEO: 'Sixteen-Fold with Blue' by Natasha Mann.
Bahia palace with the fountain in Marrakesh, Morocco (Photo credit: Val Traveler).
Natasha’s ‘Sixteen-Fold in Blue’ limited edition zouaq panel is inspired by this zellīj (Moroccan mosaic) formation from the Bahia Palace (Arabic: قصر الباهية, Berber: ⵜⴰⴳⴰⴷⵉⵔⵜ ⵏ Иⴱⴰⵀⵢⴰ), a late 19th-century palace in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Two of Natasha’s Zouaq paintings featured for a public exhibition at the Buckingham Palace to mark HRH Prince Charles’ 70th Birthday (2018).
Natasha continues to produce magnificent works from her studio in Cockpit Arts, central London where she undertakes commissions for Zouaq paintings as well as interiors and furniture. She also runs courses and gives lectures on Moroccan Zouaq painting and Islamic geometry.