More than 40 works of renowned calligraphy artists from various Arab and Islamic countries went on show on Sunday (June 22) in Dubai International Financial Centre’s (DIFC) Building 5.

The exhibition of works drawn from DIFC Art Collection 1 was inaugurated by Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (DCAA) chairman Shaikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The show will run until June 29.

Shaikh Majid toured the exhibition along with DIFC governor and DCAA managing director Dr Omar bin Sulaiman.

'Since its inception, DIFC has been keen to promote artistic activities based on our belief that art plays a vital role in our community and in various fields including business. As part of enabling a greater role for art in our society, it seeks to develop Dubai into a gateway for art and artists. DIFC has built a large art collection of its own, which features the works of a host of regional and international artists. This includes the art of many talented upcoming Emirati artists. The calligraphy exhibition that we are organising celebrates one of the great artistic traditions of the Arab and Islamic world. The artists featured in the event have combined words with figurative expressions to create some exquisite pieces,” Dr Bin Sulaiman said.

“The works showcased at the exhibition feature verses from the Holy Quran, the Hadith, prayers, poems, words of wisdom and proverbs. Two pieces have used quotes of Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This exhibition is one of the events organised by the Department of Art and Culture in DIFC to contribute towards realising Dubai’s cultural vision. We hope that this event serves to raise public awareness of both contemporary calligraphic art as well as the great cultural heritage of the Arab and Islamic world. We believe that events such as these will contribute to developing Dubai into a hub for artistic and creative professionals.”  

Artists whose works are displayed at the exhibition include, Mohammed Mendi from the UAE, Aytain Turyaki, Sawash Jowaik, Ali Tawi, Farhad Towrlo, Fo'ad Bashar, Mustafa Halim and Mumtaz Sajkin from Turkey, Taj Alsir Hassan from Sudan, Wesam Shoqat from Iraq and Yaqoub Ibrahim from Jordan. The works have used a range of scripts including Thuluth, Diwani, Naskh and Kufi. – TradeArabia News Service