CALIXPRESSIONS’ – 12 Artists / 12 Styles – Calligraphy Exhibition
Report: Umer Farooq
Launching on Nov 2, 2022, at Picasso gallery Dubai, this exhibition will trace the art of calligraphy to its historical origins and explore how it has developed into an exacting craft of high aesthetic sensibility.
Art4you Gallery aims to celebrate calligraphy as one of the most powerful art forms that gives life to written words. “The best moment to celebrate these deep connections is the occasion the artists express themselves with original and colourful works. Showcasing more than 50 masterworks of brush-inscribed characters—some serving as independent works of art and others enhanced by decorated papers or by paintings—the exhibition CaliXpressions takes a close look at the original gestural movement marked in each work, by analysing the applied pressure, speed, and rhythm that are said to be the reflection of the artist’s state of mind. “, says the Founder of the Art4you Gallery – Rengi.
The exhibition is showcasing the different facets of calligraphy and masterpieces produced by established and famous calligraphers from UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia, India, Bangladesh, China, Japan and Pakistan. Main Goal is to present different artistic style on the theme Calligraphy with renowned and established artists – Abdulhaq Khayaluddin, Anood Kurdi, Fatemeh Hosseinbor, Junko Fujita, Jesno Jackson, Leo Lee, Maria Komal Abie, Mujeeb Kehar, Muhammad Haydar Ali, Sheikh Saifi, Shahzada Farhan Akbar and Soheila Ahmadi.
Calligraphy or the art of fancy writing has thousands of years in its history and development. They are of aesthetics, refinement, creativity and pure beauty. For different scripts, for example, Chinese or Arabic, they have developed their own way of calligraphy. However, either western calligraphy or Chinese or Arabic calligraphy, they have strict rules and shapes with a geometrical order of lining on the page, each character with a precise stroke order.
From an early time, calligraphy became the most important art form in the Middle East, connected to all aspects of its rich and immense cultural heritage. Across several centuries, the Arabic character has been the sphere of continuous innovation and this subtle art form has further transformed into some of the contemporary forms that are seen today. Among the artists, you will see calligrapher Sheikh Saifi’s signified style “Futuristic Calligraphy”, works combines calligraphy with traditional and technology in floating symbolic impression. Calligraphic Abstract Installation”, by Mujeeb Khedar uses Haroof calligraphy with sculpting abstraction explore the shapes and curves of Arabic letters. A modern form that has made the Kufic line with itself and moves like a puzzle in the expanse of existence, is specially exhibited by Iranian Artist Soheila Ahmadi. Also, you will see an outstanding representative of the young generation of Chinese Calligrapher Leo Lee who unlock the secrets of “Chinese Calligraphy”, who demonstrate the post-modern freehand brushwork in combining the classical expression and artistic conception calligraphy concept, with ancient method.
The displayed artworks will be of top level, comprehensive style and rich forms, which amply demonstrated the charm of Chinese calligraphy. Abdul Haq’s “King Style Calligraphy”- with Classical Arabic Scripts, works in Diwani, Jali Diwani will be also exhibited. Master Artist from Japan – Junko Fujita (known as Fujita Kouka), who unlock the secrets of “Japanese Calligraphy”, (書道, shodō) also called shūji (習字) in cultural and refined style. Shodo has a rich history stretching back thousands of years. Junko passed away in 2022. And Yoshimi Fuji carries the family heirloom. Devanagri Calligraphy is the muse for Artist Maria Komal Abie, who adore its forms and its connection to traditional and spiritual roots, where the script is unexplored as an art form. The Sanskrit shlokas, verses, and prayers are rendered in modern, experimental writing styles. While Jesno Jackson practice calligraphy in both English & Malayalam (an Indian script), though her focus is on contemporising the latter. Her practice explores the intersection between design and art, primarily emphasizes the abstraction of letterforms, which is explored via the use of different mediums.
Calligraphy, the art of handwriting, finds expressions through the artists own voice by transcending conventions, veering towards the asemia, exploring imperfect and novel forms in monotone. While legibility often plays a secondary role, the artworks provoke the audience to search for their own interpretations.
The texture of ink and the drawn text, space formed by overlapping letterforms, and mingling of various strokes; all transform the artwork into the realm of visuals.