Islamic calligraphy is the artistic practice of Arabic handwriting.

It is the primary means for the preservation of the Qur'an.

That is why it is a major art form in Islamic cultures.

Salman has its own unique expression which does not employ any specific Arabic font.








                                                                                  

Copper red Pottery

Sang de boeuf, oxblood, flambé glaze or copper red refer to a glossy, rich, blood red glaze.

Copper red is a complex glaze which requires many variables to produce an Oxblood glaze of
satisfactory quality.










                                                                                   

A Harvest of Crystals by Niilofur Farrukh

When you hold up a pot by Salman Ikram to the light, floating crystals sparkle from beneath the translucent glaze. Focusing on a limited palette of somber golds, greens and a few blues, Salman confesses that his recent focus has been to perfect Crystalline Glazes. This body of work was exhibited during the summer at Chawakandi Art, Karachi.

What one sees on the glazed surface are tightly packed iridescent clusters with a darker nucleus that fan out in shimmering haloes. With bigger crystals the scale changes dramatically as the pattern wraps around the pot surface. In other works, tight formations with inward curling shapes take on a floral spray-like configuration. The characteristic glow of theses crystals in often muted and organic, that brings to mind mother-of-pearl in different hues. ........





                                                                                   

Beyond The Glaze by Aasim Akhtar

Salman’s thrown vessel forms are sometimes given hand-built additions which appear to transform before us as unique botanical specimens, animated by an inherent energy.

The botanical forms seem to emerge from an ancient object, their personal and cultural associations lost in time.

Salman’s unique glazing techniques and his creative passion, coupled with a strong Oriental flavor, make his work unparalleled. It is fascinating how his modern artwork enlivens the vernacular tradition without staying traditional. With the help of his glazes, the artist succeeded in gaining an unmistakable glimpse into the essence of nature.

The material foundation of this aesthetics is to transform the traditional forms of ceramics into an artistic agent of entirely new significance, making it an innovative modern art. ........