In manuscripts, stories, and historic paintings, Bahamoot (pronounced Ba-hah-moot بهموت) is described as a colossal fish, whale, or sea serpent, and is one of the legendary beasts of Arabia. According to Edward William Lane’s abstract on the Islamic work on Cosmography, Bahamoot is so enormous that "All the seas of the world, placed in one of the fish's nostrils, would be like a grain of sand laid in the desert."
In medieval Islamic manuscripts on cosmography, Bahamoot is described as supporting the seven oceans, the seven visible planets, and the seven heavens. Paintings portray Bahamoot carrying the bull (named Kuyūthā,) who holds a gem between his horns. An angel stands on the bull and shoulders the earth.
As with the language, early Persian and Arabian manuscripts are highly metaphorical, providing the key to understanding the above. It is believed that God appointed two angels as supervisors and bearers of the Earth. As the Earth is made of two parts: water and Earth, the angels were named and referenced as Fish & Bull. Fish symbolized the sea's inhabitants and the livelihood of those who lived near it, while the bull represented agriculture and the livelihood of those far from the sea. Thus, early cosmologists concluded that human life on Earth rests on the working bull and the inhabitants of the ocean. The hierarchal depictions found within these historic manuscripts illustrated just how closely connected a man's life is with the life of the animal species.
I found this balanced and harmonious view of our relationship to the land, sea, and animal kingdom to be utterly compelling, leading to the creation of this entire body of work.
Yasmin Hayat, 2023
We are thrilled to announce a captivating new collection of paintings by Yasmin Hayat, who draws inspiration from the enchanting representations found within the pages of medieval Islamic cosmographical manuscripts. Her paintings are imbued with vitality, depicting narratives that eloquently highlight the deep-seated values of equilibrium and unity. These values reflect the intricate relationship between humanity, the earth, the seas, and the animal realm as seen through the lens of the medieval Islamic worldview.
In her creative reinterpretation, she infuses these timeless legends with the exquisite essence of semi-precious stones, rare gems, plants, and the very earth itself, much like the ancient pigments that adorned the early cave paintings and the historic works of our forebears. Handcrafted, her palette ensures each hue is distinct, making every painting one-of-a-kind. Thus, each work becomes a unique testament to the beauty of colours, these stable pigments being long-lasting and harmonious with our earth.
