Sukoon is the Arabic word for peace. In this artwork, it is inscribed within the Hand of Fatima, also known as the Hamsa, a symbol traditionally used for protection. The motif has roots in several cultures, but my interest arose from its prominence within the Muslim world, where it became known as the Hand of Fatima, named after the Prophet Muhammad’s daughter. The five fingers are often seen as representing the Five Pillars of Islam.
 
The vivid red was inspired by the traditional men’s dress of Mali, as seen in Africa’s Literary Culture and Early Islamic Scriptures in Timbuktu, while the gold evokes the desert sands depicted in the same book.
 
Each artwork is hand-printed on A4 Khadi handmade, fair-trade, 100% cotton rag paper. The print is unframed but will be mounted on card, sealed in a clear protective sleeve, and carefully packaged in a hardboard-backed envelope. Due to the nature of hand-printing, each print may vary slightly.