New public art in Dewsbury inspired by Islamic geometric design

On the exterior of the new Zakaria Education Centre in Dewsbury, Eric Broug created a ceramic composition inspired by Islamic geometric design. Unveiled on Friday, September 6, the 4x9 meter composition is the largest Islamic geometric composition to have been created in Europe in the past 6 centuries. The original composition can be found in the 14th century Bou Inania madrasa in Meknes, Morocco.

image The ceramic composition inspired by Islamic geometric design by Eric Broug / Courtesy of the artist

The Halifax-based author and artist Eric Broug was commissioned by the Zakaria Education Centre to create a work of art for the exterior of their new building. The design process started two years ago. As the work is made of thousands of pieces of waterjet-cut ceramic tiles, the process of manufacturing and installing the composition proved to be an unprecedented challenge but was expertly dealt with by the team of Roccia Tiles in Preston.

image The ceramic composition inspired by Islamic geometric design by Eric Broug / Courtesy of the artist

image The ceramic composition by Eric Broug, detail / Courtesy of the artist

image The ceramic composition by Eric Broug, detail / Courtesy of the artist

image The ceramic composition by Eric Broug, detail / Courtesy of the artist

image The ceramic composition by Eric Broug, detail / Courtesy of the artist

image The ceramic composition by Eric Broug, detail / Courtesy of the artist

Eric Broug explains: “I chose the composition from Meknes because it is very complex and very beautiful. It was perfect for the large space in Dewsbury. The location of the building is such that you can see the composition from various distances. My colour choices follow a traditional design principle whereby colour helps to: make a complex composition visually accessible, and give different visual rewards deeding on your dine to the composition. In my work, I always look for the intersection of traditional and contemporary. To be able to take a 14th-century design masterpiece from a madrasa in Meknes and present it so that it looks at home in the 21st century, was a wonderful opportunity. I wanted to create something that all generations in the Savile Town neighbourhood of Dewsbury could love and relate to. I’m especially happy that the composition is right opposite a primary school playground.”

image The ceramic composition inspired by Islamic geometric design by Eric Broug / Courtesy of the artist

image The aerial view of the ceramic composition by Eric Broug / Courtesy of the artist

  • Client: Zakaria Education Centre
  • Designer: Broug Ateliers
  • Architect: Jennings Design
  • Construction: YMG
  • Manufacture & Installation: Roccia
  • Lighting: Beekay Electrical

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