A Global Language
Art traditions from across the world.
SOA's artists draw on a wide visual inheritance. These are our own illustrated interpretations of six traditions we look to for reference and inspiration — original artwork, not reproductions.
Ukiyo-e Waves
Woodblock-era wave rhythms and negative space.
JapanMandala & Paisley
Radial symmetry rooted in devotional pattern-making.
IndiaKente Geometry
Woven strip-cloth patterns encoding proverb and status.
West AfricaPapel Picado Florals
Cut-paper radial florals used in folk celebration.
MexicoImpressionist Brushwork
Broken colour and visible gesture over rendered detail.
EuropeGeometric Tessellation
Star-and-polygon patterns built from pure geometry.
Middle East