Breath of the Compassionate, 2003
Acrylic on paper

Kathy Hull
Visual Resources Curator, Art History

Artist’s Statement
My fascination with decorative art is an extension of my studies of how graphic patterns are used to convey the aesthetic and cultural values of indigenous and mystic religious traditions.  'Breath of the Compassionate' is inspired by the Sufi tradition of Islam, and is also the descriptive title given to this two-part tiling pattern popular as architectural decoration in 14th century Islamic Persia.  Geometrically constructed as the expansion and contraction of the square, the octagram star and pointed cross are likened to the inhalation and exhalation of the Creator.  One Sufi devotional practice is the recitation of the ninety-nine Beautiful Names of God, of which the two most prominent are er-Rahman and er-Rahim, the Compassionate and the Merciful.  These are often invoked as a complimentary pair, and as such find perfect graphic expression in this tiling pattern: the Compassionate God provides life and all that nourishes life, and the Merciful God forgives our transgressions and receives our souls into heaven after death.  The particular decorative designs, colors, and processes of paint application are also intentional, and carry multiple layers of cosmological reference.

Education
Wichita State University
Wichita, KS
BGS: Linguistics 1984, BFA: Studio Arts 1983

Professional Activities
Director of Cultural Arts and Faith Exploration Gallery at Inter-Faith Ministries, Secretary of the WSU Decorative Arts Guild