n 5 July 2017, HRH The Prince of Wales attended The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts’ annual degree show ( and awarded the new Bagri Prize to Martha Moderitz and Muhammad Samiur Rahman.
Martha Moderitz, MA by Course 2015-17
Martha began her journey at The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in 2013, first studying Persian Miniature Painting and geometry with the Open Programme at The School. During the first year of the MA programme, Martha experimented with an extensive range of arts and craft techniques and was notably introduced to Indian Miniature Painting. With a long fascination in Indian arts and philosophy, she was eager to further examine the concept of ‘Rasa’ (states of being) and female archetypes in the context of devotional love during the second year of her MA. Her paintings reveal her love for dance, geometry, nature and Pahari Miniature Paintings. These interests are reflected in her work Rasa Lila, the dance of Love (pictured below left).
“The Prince’s School’s ethos to educate by ‘doing’, in order to ‘draw out’ knowledge from the student is a unique and exceptional method of teaching that I am incredibly grateful to have experienced and I hope to further develop in the future so that I can pass this experience on to others. Going forward, I want to continue to explore traditional themes and stories and create compositions and paintings that reintroduce the messages and values from these stories into people’s lives today.”
Muhammad Samiur Rahman MA by Course 2015-17
Samiur first became interested in practising Islamic calligraphy while at the Institute of Islamic Education and later studied contextual Islamic studies at the Cambridge Muslim College. He undertook a Masters course at The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts to further investigate geometry, Islamic calligraphy and its expression within an architectural context. While at The School, Samiur was introduced to several techniques such as parquetry, ceramics, and gilding on glass. Samiur’s theological background is often reflected into his pieces. One of the highlights of his MA work is a large parquetry panel with inlaid mother of pearl and smoky quartz, marking out the seven verses within the Surah Al Fatihah – the opening of the Qur’an – in Squared Kufic.
“I joined The Prince’s School for the MA in Traditional Arts because I wanted to apply my theoretical background in Islamic theology to the practice of the traditional arts. Prior to starting the course I was quite unaware of the depth and the level of spirituality found in the sacred arts of each tradition. During the course I was opened up to many different traditions, styles and techniques as well as having the opportunity to carry on studying the practice of calligraphy under a new master. This course has opened doors for me into the world of traditional arts as well as analysing and applying it in the contemporary world.”
The exhibition displayed beautiful work from The School’s graduating MA and MPhil students, with painting as well as geometry, calligraphy, stained glass and wood parquetry.
Exhibiting MA students:
Distinctions: Martha Moderitz, Rosie Morton, and Hana Shahnavaz
Merits: Nazira Bibi, Elisabeth Deane, Basmah Felemban, Muhammad Samiur Rahman, and Naveed Sadiq
Exhibiting MPhil student: Mohammad Hosam Jiroudy
Ciclitira Prize Winner: Hana Shahnavaz
