The Visual Absence in the History of the Ka’ba and the Kiswa: A Response through Printmaking

Abstract

Abstract The Ka’ba is a building in Makkah, Saudi Arabia that is perceived by Muslims, as a sacred symbol with a specific identity. It is the place to which all Muslims face to pray five times a day. Despite the sacred nature of the Ka’ba, the Kiswa (basic embroidered cloth) has been used as the covering material for the Ka’ba to enrich Islamic practice. Tracing the representation of the Ka’ba and Kiswa through history suggests an absence exists that is particularly apparent from before Islam up to the 11th century CE (late 5th century AH) during which time records are limited to written entries. Therefore, a need to understand the Ka’ba and the Kiswa visually during this absent period remains, in order to establish a more holistic understanding of this building as sacred in Islam. This research attempts to respond to the identified visual absence through printmaking techniques. The research commences with an in-depth review of the Ka’ba and Kiswa’s representations, their position within Islamic Art, and the role of printmaking as one of the primary processes involved in the contemporary production of the Kiswa. Primary data is obtained using mixed methods, including use of a focus group and interviews with experts and Saudi artists. Findings show a limited awareness of the visual absence identified, and the limited incidence of printmaking in Saudi Arabia. Based on these findings, a solo exhibition using printmaking approaches was organised which represented a response to the historical absence through a series of contemporary artistic outputs. The implications from the data collected and the solo exhibition supported an understanding of the spirituality and emotional connection that is present in the artistic representation of Ka’ba, and the position of printmaking in Saudi Arabia. The main contributions of this research include: an enhanced understanding of the Ka’ba’s representations through history using printmaking art and an improved recognition of its significance through contextualising it within Islamic Art and Saudi identity.