 The Artist: Jamal Badran (1909-1999) studied Islamic art at the Hamzaoui School in Cairo from 1922 to 1927. After his return from Egypt to Palestine he began working on the first major 20th century renovation of the Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosques in Jerusalem from 1927 to 1928. He was sent by the British Mandate Government ruling Palestine at the time, to the UK to study at the Central College of Arts and Crafts from 1934 to 1937. After his return he taught Islamic art in many colleges. After the Nakba, he was forced to flee to Syria. He went to work for the UNESCO in Libya from 1952 to 1962 as an expert in art education. Badran returned to Palestine later that year and lived in Ramallah were he ran a workshop. He received a UNESCO award in 1994 for his work on glass. Badran died in Amman, Jordan. His work: Badran was the most prominent Palestinian artist working in Islamic art. His reputation grew after he was commissioned by the Islamic Waqf to renovate the burned pulpit (Minbar) of the Aqsa mosque, destroyed by an Israeli arsonist in 1969. His major lifework was his work at the Aqsa and Dome of the Rock mosques in Jerusalem, which included design of ceramics, mosaics, wood and plaster carvings. Badran also worked for two years decorating the Jordan University mosque. He was also famous for the individual pieces he created, from illumination, to leather, to lampshades, and glass. His family plans to dedicate a museum to him in Amman. Badran’s works can be found in many private homes and royal palaces all around the Arab World. |
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