1. Arabesque. Arabesque is a "complicated design," and it can range from things like vines with flowers and leaves to geometric shapes and patterns. This was used to represent the relationship between man and the Earth. 2. Calligraphy. Calligraphy is an important element of Islamic art as it is said to "represent Allah's divine intention." 3. Tessellation. Tesselation is a pattern consisting of "shapes that fit together like a puzzle." They were used to symbolize the infinite power of Allah. 4. Linear Repeat Patterns. These were used as borders on tessellations and symbolized a limit on the infinite. They also are said to symbolize the "human experience of rhythm and time." 5. Complex Star Polygons. This element reflects the importance of astronomy and geometry and is developed using squares. They are also said to be an "abstract picture of the universe (night sky)." 6. Reciprocal Linear Repeat Patterns. This is simply the presence of light areas mirroring dark areas.
Another important thing to keep in mind about Islamic art is that there were two religions restrictions placed on art. The first states that God/Allah was never to be depicted in art, and thus most art does not contain people or animals. The few animal-like creatures in Islamic art were "highly stylized and not lifelike." The next restriction was to not use "costly materials," and because of this, most art is brass, clay or wood. With time, Islamic artists learned how to make inexpensive materials look just as alluring as expensive ones like silver or gold.
King Leopold II created a colony in the Congo River region of Central Africa during a wave of widespread European colonization in the 1880s. The desire for valuable goods like rubber and ivory combined with limited laws and regulations in the Congo Free State led to the abuse of native laborers and countless deaths.
