My interpretation of the concept of Light Upon Light comes through the words of Imam Husain AS, and the Fatimid philosophy that explores forms of cosmic and elemental light and how it reflects the Divine. My inspiration for this work comes from the Divine Light embodied in Imam Husain (AS), whose sacrifice shines like an inextinguishable Mishkat (lamp) for believers during times of darkness and despair until the end of times.

The central star motif is geometrically reconstructed from the six-pointed star found at the center of the Shubbak-al-Mishkat. The lamp inside the star motif is also derived from the Shubbak-al-Mishkat, illustrating the Divine Light of Allah that manifested in Imam Husain (AS), making him a ‘brilliant star’ or ‘kaukab-un-durri’.
The organic, vegetal scrollwork surrounding the lamp in the painting is inspired by the Shubbak-al-Mishkat. In the Fatimid Islamic tradition, vegetal scrollwork — represented as flowers and fruits — holds deep esoteric meanings. The Quran also uses flowers and fruits as allegories of Divine ideas, and Fatimid visual culture has beautifully reflected this wisdom throughout its history.