Art is a deeply religious experience for Saleha Contractor, who tells MOJEH about the spiritual and emotional inspirations underpinning her new collection, as well as her creative methodology, which is both meditative and moving

At the five-star Makarem Ajyad Hotel in Mecca, walls are graced with contemplative, collage-like paintings inspired by verses from the Qur’an, Prophetic stories and prayers, brought to life through decorative Arabic calligraphy layered with rich textiles and glistening gold leaf accents. “Knowing that my art is in a place so sacred and visited by millions of people brings me an immense sense of spiritual fulfilment,” says Toronto-based Saleha Contractor, who spent two years completing the art for this hotel. Saleha tells MOJEH about her first memory visiting the holy city in Saudi Arabia, after saving up to afford the trip with her parents: “My mother and I would stroll through our hotel hallways, admiring the art, and I remember making a silent prayer, envisioning how impactful it would be to have storytelling art in a hotel for pilgrims to observe and reflect upon.” Her mother passed away last summer after a two-month battle with pancreatic cancer, and her newest collection, launching this November, is dedicated to her memory. “Her endurance and strength were incredibly inspiring. As both her daughter and caregiver, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions during her illness,” says Saleha. To help her cope, the artist found a sense of solace, hope and healing through Qur’anic stories about Prophets, who endured their own losses.

Her collection of three almost three-metre-long paintings is a creative interpretation of tales from the holy texts that offer comfort to those facing terminal illness, emphasise the impact of living a life of service, and explore the Islamic perspective on navigating grief. It will launch through an online auction this month — her network of collectors around the world will receive online invitations to the sale along with a campaign allowing them to engage and connect with the pieces on a deeper level, before the auction goes live. It’s a method she started in 2017, after her collection that year sold out in minutes, and buyers requested she come up with a system that would ensure fair access to owning an original. “Given the time it takes me to create a collection, it organically created a sense of rarity and anticipation for the collector,” says Saleha, whose past work has received bids of up to US$20,000 (Dhs73,460). She releases one collection a year, and doesn’t take on commissioned work.

Born and raised in Canada, Saleha embarked on a journey to “re- learn” Islam while working in the corporate world. Listening to religious lectures and stories during her commute helped her build a deeper connection with the faith, and inspired her to share the teachings with others. She began experimenting with mixed-media art, receiving a positive response from those who connected with the messages on the canvases. “Collectors began discovering my work organically on social media and through word-of-mouth, and prints of my paintings were being shipped from my home to cities across the globe,” recalls Saleha, who after having children, turned to art full-time. “I reflected on my purpose here and the legacy I wish to leave behind, and made the decision to leave the corporate world and dedicate my days to turning Islamic teachings into timeless art,” she tells MOJEH.

Saleha credits her mother — the muse for her upcoming collection — for encouraging her to persevere on her creative path. “She believed in teaching me the power of using our hands to nurture talent, and often reminded me of my grandfather’s words: ‘No one can take away the talent that you’ve mastered using your hands’. We are all born with natural abilities, and it is our responsibility to recognise and further develop those skills,” believes Saleha.

Arabic calligraphy is a common thread binding her work together — a skill that Saleha taught herself through practice and by studying traditional calligraphers, before eventually blending it with modern, abstract forms. “The fluidity, rhythm and grace of the letters in motion is art in and of itself,” says Saleha, explaining that while it is not her mother tongue, it was the first script she mastered after English, having learned how to read the Qur’an in Arabic as a child. But of course, it’s the meaning of the words that are eternally impactful in her work. Saleha combines creative expression with a deeply personal and at times academic methodology of reading and interpreting scripture; a process that becomes enlightening both for her and for the audience of her art. Chronicling Qur’anic verses, the calligraphy works together with textures and abstract forms to re-tell Prophetic stories and Islamic teachings, and Saleha says that her layered aesthetic emulates the unity of the holy book itself. “Every piece contributes to the whole, like how the Qur’an brings together spiritual guidance, moral instruction, historical narratives and reflections on life in a profound singular message,” she explains. “It’s a masterful composition. I wanted my paintings to follow this storytelling approach where the viewer’s eyes are encouraged to explore every square inch of the artwork, and the mind is invited to draw connections — to spark curiosity and reflection, and ultimately find comfort in the divine message.”

Spiritual wisdom transcends time and place, so storytelling, according to Saleha, thus plays an important role in keeping the messages of revelation alive and relevant to modern-day society. The religious reminders can help observers of the art remain grounded, hopeful and focused on their purpose, even when afflicted with emotions like grief, despair and anxiety. “I want to leave behind a body of work that makes Islamic teachings accessible and relatable,” she says, in hopes that her creative preservation of religious values can serve as visual narratives that connect Muslims to the peace and beauty of their faith.

Saleha says that her mother was a pillar of the community with a cheerful personality, always bringing joy and providing support to those in need. “She lived a life devoted to serving others,” says Saleha. “It is now my duty to carry on her legacy.”

Words by: Hafsa Lodi

Photography: Alla Prynda