Arabic calligraphy is the most highly regarded element of Islamic art, as it is the language of Qur’an. The script has the potential for creating ornamental forms.
Today, the art of Arabic calligraphy continues. Here are 22 contemporary artists redefining calligraphy
A thread…
1/ Diaa Allam lives & works in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. He is an Arabic calligrapher with a specialisation in 3-D calligraphy, & a live art performer. He sources the darkest & brightest pigments from locations around the world to create his painted calligraphy illusions…
2/ Born in Tehran, @snasernia began his career primarily as a calligrapher & typography artist. He turns Arabic letters into an abstract language, creating a new concept called Crazy Kufik & deconstructs the rules of Arabic & Persian writing…
3/ Based in London @ArtofthePen is an internationally renowned classically trained calligrapher. Her work pushes the boundaries of what is expected from this traditional art form. In 2005, Soraya was awarded the sought-after icazetname from Istanbul…
4/ Artist @WissamSh is an expert in Arabic calligraphy. He is largely self-taught, attaining mastery through book research, visits to various masters, museum & library collections. He has developed a signature style, which is referred to as Calligraform…
5/ Artist @MajidAlyousef is a calligrapher & typographer. He has a unique style, merging traditional Arabic calligraphy with contemporary visual arts. Majid’s work is inspired by abstract painting & sculpture, especially cubism, futurism & de stijl…
6/ British Muslim artist & brandalism activist @Teakster believes art has the power to unite people, & connects communities by challenging perceptions of space, replacing outdoor advertising with beautiful artwork…
7/ Lebanese Artist Ghaleb Hawila is fascinated by the endless possibilities of Arabic calligraphy, which he approaches with a new eye. Ghaleb’s work comes from a deep understanding of Middle-Eastern heritage and spiritual paths…
8/ Egyptian Artist Negmedine creates bold installations for both public and gallery spaces, challenging our perceptions of the possibilities of Arabic calligraphy. He has taken his own unique vision to calligraffiti, adding a new twist to this artform…
9/ Saudi & Morrocan artist Shaker Kashgari’s work stands out due to his creativity as well as diversity. Whether a canvas with traditional scripture or a word designed in calligraffiti, Shaker has proven it is possible to be a self taught talent…
10/ Artist @zahragulraizart uses Arabic Calligraphy in her own bold and distinctive style to spread positive energy into people’s surroundings. Along with her striking use of colours, she focuses around quotes that uplift and inspire…
11/ UK based artist @handofayesha expresses her love for the written word through her work. She is fascinated by the concept of culture & how this influences art. This has lead her to experiment with modern Arabic, Urdu & Farsi lettering with street art…
12/ For artist & calligrapher @Hatem_Arafa_ Arabic calligraphy is a kind of addiction, & practicing drawing each letter gives him unprecedented enjoyment & satisfaction…
13/ Pouran Jinchi’s art is characterized by an innovative play on calligraphy & script. She translates despair and destruction into a beautifully ethereal visual language…
14/ Artist @elseed uses his distinctive style of Arabic calligraphy merged with graffiti, to spread messages of peace, & highlight the commonalities of human existence. His calligraffiti is a tool for unifying communities, & can be found over the world…
15/ Tunisian artist Nja Mahdaoui considers himself ‘an explorer of signs’ and has been described as a ‘choreographer of letters’. His work inspired by Arabic calligraphy is remarkably innovative as the aesthetic dimension of letters brings forth a sense poetic abstraction…
16/ Khalid Shahin is a sculptor and painter. He has created a unique style combining and integrating Text-Art, typography and Arabic calligraphy with his abstract paintings and unique sculptures. This work is titled ‘Pistachio.’…
17/ Artist @hassan_massoudy born in 1944, is an Iraqi painter and calligrapher, considered by the French writer Michel Tournier as the "greatest living Calligrapher", currently lives in Paris. His work has influenced a generation of calligraffiti artists…
18/ Iranian artist Mohammad Bozorgi is recognised as a leading figure among a ‘New Generation’ of contemporary calligraphers. He maps his compositions according to precise mathematical structures, and never deviates from the meaning of words despite the innovation of his script…
19/ Iranian artist Hosein Shirazi has been practicing calligraphy since 2004 under the supervision of Mr. Hadi Roshanzamir. He is a specialist in the art of calligraphy, specifically painting calligraphy and graphic design…
20/ Emirati artist Mattar Bin Lahej is an innovative thinker with a distinctive signature style in his paintings and a bold approach to his sculptures. He developed a unique style of movement through which different types of fine art are explored, understood, and nurtured…
21/ Indian Artist @zehraavadh from Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, believes the ornamental and artistic writing of Arabic calligraphy has great importance. Largely self-taught, her goal is to revive this traditional artform…
22/ Saudi Artist known by his street name AS Official is based in Jeddah. Renowned for his freehand calligraffiti murals, his work reflects the love and passion he has for the written word…
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