Hey!
I'm Sandy Kurt
I’m an artist, self-taught designer, and educator who is hell-bent on teaching everyone how to get started with Islamic geometric patterns.
I was born during the Balkan war and raised in Italy, with nothing more than some pencils, cheap watercolors and passion, I’m proud to inspire people to leave their comfort zone and learn new ways to express their artistic self.
In fact, when I was younger, I used to draw hands and people faces, but as a self-taught, I didn't have the adequate skills for that.
My drawings looked okay, but there was something that didn't satisfy me, so I started drawing mandalas which was fun, but freehand drawing was still a bit frustrating.
Then I got fired...
I took the whole 2017 off in order to do all the things I didn't have the time for while working and somehow I found this 10£ Islamic geometry online course by Samira Mian. Little did I know that those 10£ would change my life.
Soon enough, I was craving more information so, in 2018, I decided to attend the Art of Islamic Pattern course in Fez, and in 2019 I attended the Islamic geometry summer school in Alqueria des Rosales - Spain.
I BELIEVE IN:
God, straight talks, early-mornings, healthy lifestyle, and cutting out the 'meh' to make room for the very best.
I'm NOT ABOUT:
Dramas, time-wasting, useless complaining, late-nights and gossip.
YOU CAN FIND ME:
In my studio creating art, reading self-development books, napping in the sunshine, cooking dinner, doing yoga.
daily rituals:
Doing some kind of physical activity, deep-breathing, cuddles with my neighbour's cat Sylvester + husband, eating (who's a breakfast person like me?)
But my art didn’t always look like this.
So why do I say that I'm a self-taught?
Let me get this straight: no one teaches complex Islamic geometry. Although I learned a TON during those courses no one was teaching what I love the most: complex Islamic geometric patterns. So I rolled-up my sleeves and studied a lot - just like in high school duh.
I love to scroll down my Instagram page and look how far I've come.
And this is why I've created this website.
And after all these years of studying and searching I am ready to share my knowledge with YOU.
Whether it's my pdf tutorials, online courses, or free guides...I’m in this to make a difference in your life.
I know how it feels like to be a beginner. I know how it feels when you have to hold back your imagination because you don't have the knowledge/skills to create what is in your mind.
And because of YOU, I am able to provide some of the best free content out there. If you really want to dig deep in some free goodies, join the Sandy Kurt Insider List. This is where I send advice and inspiration and really dive deep and get to know you!
Munira Leather collaboration 2018
Ramadan Legacy collab. 2019
Cambridge Islamic Art Sale 2020
La Touche Original collab. 2020
Shababuna collaboration 2018
Jihan Ajami commission 2019
Giovanarte - Piacenza 2018
Qui Arte - Piacenza 2018
Fuorivisioni - Piacenza 2019
Exhibition hosted by Fuorivisioni - featured artist
Yeni Şafak newspaper 2021
Ismailimail 2022
Featured artist in their blog post 'Sandy Kurt: An artist specializing in Islamic geometric patterns'
Radio Bir 2020
Islamic Art Prints 2021
Art Illuminated podcast
Collaboration with Shababuna to design 6 prayer rugs for their shop in Mecca.
Commissioned to design the cover of 3 Ramadan planners
Commissioned to design one of their scarves
Collaboration with La Touche Original to design 1 wallpaper inspired by Islamic art
Commissioned to design one scarf to raise money for University scholarship
Donation of one artwork to collect money for the Cambridge Central Mosque
Exhibition hosted by Ricci Oddi Gallery - featured artist
Exhibition hosted by Qui Arte association - featured artist
Mimaani & Co. collaboration 2021
Commissioned to design one t-shirt for a charity campaign
Querencia Consultants collab. 2021
Commissioned to design a coloring book with 20 different zellige patterns
Towards Faith collaboration 2021
Commissioned to design the cover of 3 planners and promo material
Published in an interview: Calm during the storm: Bosnian-born artist Sandy Kurt on her journey with Islamic geometry
Live interview on Bosnian Radio
Featured artist in their blog post 'Meet the Artist: Sandy Kurt'
Cambridge Islamic Art 2020
PreporodInfo 2020
Behind My Veil 2018
Featured artist in their blog post 'Behind My Veil: Meet Sandy Kurt'
The Art of Islamic Pattern: A Living Tradition - London 2019
Exhibition hosted by Homerton Hospital - featured artist
Guest interview with Esra Alhamal in her podcast episode 'Islamic Geometry and Peace of Mind with Sandy Kurt'
projects
exhibitions
press
Perspektif magazine 2021
Featured artist in the article "Avrupa’da Yeni Nesil Sanatçılar"
Bayt Al Fann 2021
Featured artist in the article "Creating Complex Geometry, Sandy Kurt"
Bayt Al Fann 2022
Panelist at the "Islamic Art & Culture Digital Festival".
Towards Faith collaboration 2022
Commissioned to design the cover of the "99 names of Allah" book.
watching:
DRINKING:
READING:
CRAVING:
The office... my 10th time?
Homemade watermelon+ lemon+mint juice
The body keeps the score
Chocolate... all the time
listening:
To silence
Early morning sunshine.
Fun fact: I always ask if the balcony is east-oriented when renting a new apartment.
He is Sylvester. He is my neighbour's cat but, he spends 70% of the day (and night) with me...Ssshhh don't tell his owner
Reading books. My favourite topics? Self-development, human mind and body, counscious parenting, natural agriculture...
I know, I'm a wierdo.
My Favorite Things
This That
city
dog
EARLY BIRD
TOPSheet
POPCORN
sleep
car
or
countryside
cat
night owl
no topsheet
CHOCOLATE
party
bike
Where I stand on the super important stuff...
Agree / disagree?
"Sandy's art inspires me extremely that I want to learn something little from her every day. Her art is breathtaking”
THE REVIEWS
so they say:
let's chat!
Whether you have a project for me or you just want to say hi, you can contact me at sandy@sandykurt.com or hit the button below
did we just become best friends?
