Islamic Art

Islam prohibits representation of human beings, animals or vegetation. not only worship but simple representation.

For example, in common parlance, muslims would jeer at some other religions wherein music plays a vital part.

So, what does artists do in an islamic world; where no exceptions are allowed strictly from quranic dicta.

They have to take it to an abstract level. They have to show their talents and bring the best from themselves but do not represent anything seen or heard or narrated.

This gives rise to two questions :-

1. If art cannot represent anything, if art is not a vehicle for some other idea, then does art have a purpose ? if art does not have a purpose, abstract art is needed for society ? is abstract art useful to human beings in any tangible form ?

2. as the artist cannot represent anything, and his abstract machinations can only be understood by a select few, how does he live as an artist ? only by pandering to the whims and fancies of the high and mighty ?

These dicta imposes a completely avoidable singularity of themes that come from the mind of one lord or a select few.

No institution is built for the furtherance of art as a medium. Hence the schools that ensure that this craft is passed on from one generation to another do not come up.

Am i right in my conclusion ? readers kindly tell me.