Whirling Dervishes
Discover Six Decades of Creative Mastery
Whirling Dervishes
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Shafique Farooqi’s Whirling Dervishes art is one of the most iconic and spiritually profound themes in his vast artistic journey. Deeply inspired by his 17 years in Turkey (1983–1999), where he immersed himself in Sufi mysticism and the Mevlevi Order of Rumi, Farooqi transformed the ritual of whirling into a visual language of spiritual elevation, unity, and divine love.
In Farooqi’s work, the Whirling Dervish symbolizes the soul’s journey from material existence to divine truth. The circular motion of the dervish becomes a metaphor for infinity, balance, and spiritual harmony — a continuation of his Journey of Line philosophy, where every line signifies life’s eternal flow.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Muhammad Shafique Farooqi
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Shafique Farooqi is a legendary Pakistani artist, calligrapher, and art educator whose work spans more than six decades. Born in 1942 in Sialkot, he has become an iconic figure in both the national and international art scenes, known for his unique ability to merge traditional Islamic art with modern techniques and spiritual themes.
He earned a Master’s degree from Istanbul University and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Spiritual Arts from the Royal American University. Over the course of his career, he has produced over 13,000 art pieces and held 107 solo exhibitions across countries including the USA, UK, Turkey, Germany, France, Egypt, and Pakistan.
Mr. Shafique Farooqi has done 110 Solo and group shows in the USA, England, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Germany, Sudan, France, Canada, Holland, Turkey and Pakistan.
The Journey of Line
Each line in Shafique Farooqi’s work bridges the physical and the spiritual — a lifelong pursuit of unity through art.
This collection reflects the artist’s dedication to calligraphy, symbolism, and spiritual form, curated as part of his enduring legacy.
Paintings You May Also Like
