3 Week Intermediate Series: Drawing Moroccan Geometric Patterns

Live from Fes, Morocco

The Medina (city) of Fes, is adorned with colourful mosaic patterns, many of which date back as far as the 14th century. These geometric designs while being informed by mathematics and the sciences, offer great freedom and endless possibility through interlacing shapes, repetition and symmetry. 

VAWAA artist and multidisciplinary craftsman, Hamza, has been working with and amongst these complex patterns since he was a young child, apprenticing with his father in Fes' craft guild. He now engraves leather book covers and brass plates with Moroccan geometric designs, and guides others to create their own.

For three consecutive Saturdays Hamza will tune in live from Fes on Zoom. You'll discover and learn how to draw 3 geometric patterns found in the Bou Inania Madrasa in Fes Medina (14th C.)

This 3 week series is ideal for intermediate level, but participants of all levels are welcome to join the challenge and will find it useful. You can also check out other online sessions by Hamza here. 

As always, you'll meet others in the community from around the world. There will be live Andalusian oud music by Hamza, plenty of time to ask questions, draw together and share. After the session, we'll have the opportunity to continue discussions and share in the private FB group.

If you are not in EDT time zone, be sure to convert the time. 

Session 1: October 9th 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM EDT

In the first session Hamza will take us deeper into the world of Islamic art and Moroccan geometry with a talk on the symbolism and culture. We'll then be creating this pattern, the Mtamen bel Kora (Balled 8 Fold)

Session 2: October 16th 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM EDT

In the second session Hamza will be guiding us to create the Mtamen ben Kef ala Khatem (The 8 Fold ft. the Palm on Seal)

Session 3: October 23rd 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM EDT

The final pattern in the series is Mtamen Maakoos bel Qandil Nejjari ( Reversed 8 Fold ft. The Carpenter’s Oil Lamp)

What you'll need

A compass, divider, mechanical pencil: 0.5 HB (any), ruler, sheets of paper (A4 or A3), eraser, sharpener, and coloring pencils.

How to join

We'll be hosting this VAWAA Online on Zoom. We'll send link and details to join via email 1 day and again 1 hour before it begins.

About Hamza

Hamza is a geometer, brass-smith, bookbinder, an Andalusian Oud musician, and founder of a crafts studio dedicated to Moroccan arts and crafts in Fes. He comes from a multigenerational family of artisans and passing on crafts knowledge is a family culture. He apprenticed under his father and traveled around 15 countries crafting and learning from masters. Now his mission is to continue this legacy and help people around the world connect with old Moroccan crafts. His traditional art revolves around the art of Compass & Ruler. With those two instruments, he draws and traces Moorish and Islamic geometric patterns, etches and engraves them on brass and copper trays and embosses them on leather book covers.

Visit his artist page to learn more about his in-person VAWAA.

Reviews

"I love Hamza’s teaching of Moroccan geometries. His process is logical and helps one build on the knowledge of the session on challenge exercises. Teaching such complexity over a zoom call is a talent of its own." - Jyotika

"The two hours with a fantastic teacher flew by! I'd recommend it if you get the chance!" - Ezra

"It’s addicting!" - Candy

"Being able to participate in the Moroccan Geometric Patterns workshop with Hamza was educational and inspiring. Not only was his teaching wonderful but getting to hear him play the oud was a treat every week. My classmates were also inspiring and I hope to take more classes with Hamza in the future... perhaps one day in Morocco." - Tania

"Excellent, Excellent, Excellent! Hamza is a wonderful--and very patient--teacher, who guided students to learn and successfully create designs we thought impossible to master." - Nicole

"Incredible! So great to start to learn how to construct Moroccan geometry designs and how the craft integrates with the country's history and language." - Karen

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