Dubai Calligraphy Biennale

The eleventh edition of the exhibition included over 75 various artistic and calligraphy works created by about 50 calligraphers representing 17 different nationalities. It also looked into calligraphy in fine art and the use of Arabic letters as a source of inspiration for generations of artists, through a selection of modern and contemporary works of visual art pioneers in cooperation with several renowned art collections in the region

Dubai Culture presented a series of artworks and designs that highlight the innovative beauty of calligraphy at the Adorned by Calligraphy exhibition held at Al Safa Art and Design Library as part of the inaugural Dubai Calligraphy Biennale. 11 designers and brands participated in the exhibition, presenting 65 pieces of art and design that reflect the influence of calligraphy in many creative disciplines as an inspiring means of artistic expression and visual communication. It also shed light on the nature of the relationship between calligraphy and the fields of fashion design, textiles, and jewellery.

Dubai Culture welcomes visitors to explore ‘The History of Arabic Calligraphy in the United Arab Emirates’ exhibition at Al Shindagha Museum, the UAE's largest heritage museum. This exhibition showcases the profound passion of Emirati talent for the art of calligraphy, offering a reflection of the country's deep interest and commitment to this art form. The exhibition, which was held in partnership with Hroof Arabiya magazine and with lead support from Sandooq Al Watan, revisits the origins of this craft, tracing the roots of the national interest in calligraphy. In retrospect, it is an insight into the efforts of Emirati calligraphers to present the versatility of the Arabic letter. It also highlights the efforts of 12 Emirati calligraphers and artists who presented 12 artworks.

Dubai Culture offers visitors an inspiring creative space, unique artworks, and innovative sculptures at the Transmedial exhibition at Al Jalila Cultural Centre for Children, which features 18 artists showcasing 31 artworks, demonstrating how calligraphy can transcend traditional paper media. These diverse pieces employ materials such as ceramics, textiles, wood, stone, acrylic, glass, and steel. They documented art's evolution throughout history, offering fresh perspectives and creative opportunities for artists. This departure from convention enriches the presentation of calligraphy in various forms.

Dubai Culture introduced fresh and cutting-edge expressions of contemporary art from both local and international artists in the Unwritten, Unspoken & Told exhibition at The Foundry. The exhibition, which includes 35 creative works presented by 21 artists, aims to explore the human relationship with language, examining the human experience in communication, and progressing from language around the self to familial, communal, and spiritual contexts, all in an exploration of other forms of communication and language.

The INFINITE exhibition hosted by Mondoir Gallery during the inaugural Dubai Calligraphy Biennale offered creative spaces provided by digital media offer calligraphy artists the opportunity to innovate new expressive patterns in letter forms and color gradients, granting calligraphy a strong artistic power and a distinctive aesthetic element.

The INFINITE exhibition features 23 artworks by Emirati artist and calligrapher Diaa Allam, offering a glimpse into his extensive artistic journey and his profound connection to Arabic calligraphy. Each stroke and curve in his work serves as a testament to his contemporary mastery, inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the evolving beauty and elegance of this art form.

‘Beyond the Pen’ exhibition hosted by Kalimat showcases 13 artworks bearing the distinct styles of 12 creatives hailing from various corners of the world. Akil Ahmad's piece, 'Draft Hayamatni,' brilliantly captures his deep affection for Arabic calligraphy, while Bassam Kyrillos demonstrates his mastery in crafting commemorative and pictorial sculptures with 'Horses and Night.' Saeed Khooyeh contributes to the exhibition with two distinct works, namely 'The Series of Incomplete Stories 3' and 'The Series of Incomplete Stories 7'.

The ‘Breaking Boundaries II’ exhibition hosted by Firetti Contemporary celebrates the intricate and expansive history of linguistics, transcending its traditional boundaries to explore innovative expressions through the works of five artists from different corners of the world. From its origins in primitive eras to the contemporary era, this exhibition aims to delve into the rich and comprehensive evolution of the history of language and its dynamic impact on contemporary artistic visions.

The Calligrafuturism exhibition hosted by Opera Gallery in DIFC featured the works of artist Pokras Lampas. His works combine words and artistic touches, Lampas's work defies boundaries as he elegantly melds the realms of street art, design, and typography, and shines some light on the real meaning of words and letters.

The exhibition ‘INTERwoven TEXTures,’ hosted by Efie Gallery, showcases creative works and artistic sculptures that eloquently convey the strength of the dialogue and shared human experiences. The exhibition includes 15 artworks, marking Victor Ekpuk’s first solo show in the Middle East. Through it, he continues his exploration of Nsibidi, an ancient graphic communication system from south-eastern Nigeria and north-western Cameroon. In his new series, developed during his residency at New York University Abu Dhabi in September, Ekpuk illuminates the rich cultural intersections in the region. Additionally, it celebrates themes such as cultural memory, spirituality, and the identity of the African diaspora.

Dubai Culture presented a series of innovative artworks that highlight the modernity of calligraphy at the ‘Calligraphy Redefined: A Perspective in Play’ exhibition at the AWC Gallery in DIFC Gate Avenue. The exhibition presents 22 creative works made by 11 artists from around the world, through which they seek to highlight the transformations of calligraphy and its ability to transcend traditional forms of writing styles, in addition to exploring the attractiveness of words and their interaction with movement.

Boccara Gallery located in DIFC Gate Avenue hosted an exhibition by the Lebanese artist and calligrapher Ghaleb Hawila. The exhibition comprises nine artworks showcasing his creativity in traditional Arabic calligraphy. The exhibition features a diverse range of Hawila's works, each representing his distinct style and vision, allowing visitors to explore the intricate details of his calligraphic compositions, as well as gain insight into the artist's creative process and inspirations. Hawila also crafted an artwork live at the gallery, inviting viewers to witness his creative process. Through this, he aimed to underscore the significance of skill, precision, and innovation in the medium.

Dubai Design District (D3) hosted five outdoor installations, four striking steel art installations by Emirati artist Mattar Bin Lahej, including ‘The Quranic Encyclopedia,’ a 15-meter-long sculpture emphasizing the concept of monotheism. The 5^th installation was by Nigerian-American artist Victor Ekpuk, whose work was inspired by Nsibidi, an ancient written communication system from southern Nigeria and northwest Cameroon.

Posters: Visual Language goes beyond traditional storytelling methods in poster design, seeking to build a cohesive relationship between the written word and design. Meanwhile, the Connecting Cultures Exhibition expresses diverse traditions embodying numerous creative visions, exploring aesthetics and writing styles that contribute to transforming calligraphy into a common denominator among cultures.

The Colored Letters Exhibition was organised by the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation in cooperation with the Old Bridge Gallery as part of the inaugural Dubai Calligraphy Biennale. The exhibition, curated by Pegah Behroozfar, features 23 Iranian artists who shed light on the beauty and aesthetics of calligraphy and the historical depth of this art form through a variety of artworks in different calligraphic techniques such as gilding, elongation, intertwinement, angulation, rotation, construction, overlapping and other forms of ornamentation and embellishment.

The ‘Poems within Calligraphy’ exhibition organised by the Mohammed bin Rashid Library as part of the inaugural Dubai Calligraphy Biennale, included 33 artistic panels, which are part of the personal collection of His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr. These works draw inspiration from the poetry of Al-Mutanabbi, Ibn Zaydun, Elia Abu Madi, Nizar Qabbani, and Dr Ahmed Amin Al-Madani and are written in various Arabic calligraphy styles including Thuluth, Jali, Naskh, Nastaliq, Kufic, and Sini.

Classical calligraphy relies on numerous formal elements such as space, colour, and shadow to preserve its unique rhythm and balance. These artistic principles inspire the beauty and creativity reflected in the exhibited collection, featuring 30 remarkable artworks that illuminate the creative process of participating calligraphers as they expertly compose intricate layouts, connecting letters using various classical Arabic scripts. Additionally, they interact with the art of ornamentation, employing innovative materials, tones, and diverse styles to enrich their creations.

The mural ‘The Tide’ - Umm Suqeim Park, as part of the Dubai Public Art Strategy, was completed by Dubai Culture in collaboration with Dubai Municipality. The mural was executed by UAE-based Argentinian Yubran Gosne (aka Sanctum) at the entrance of Umm Suqeim Park, curated by artist Ahmad Makary. Inspired by the movement of the sea and its energy, asemic calligraphy crawls up the surfaces over an explosive background of greens, blues, and turquoises, emulating spirits seeking to merge with the water’s flow, in immense trance-like harmony; the large white strokes represent the foam of the water touching the sand and the never-ending bond between water and soil.

UAE-based Algerian artist Ahmed Amine Aitouche (aka Sneak Hotep) painted the ‘Amalgamation’ mural in Nad Al Sheba Park. The mural, curated by artist Ahmad Makary, consists of three angular wall surfaces, visible from one angle as a singular art piece, while still having their separate identities, all united by the artist’s strokes and colours. Sneak Hotep's intention is to illustrate how Dubai serves as a model of balance between tradition and modernity, freedom and discipline. The city's diverse and multicultural approach, he believes, is fundamental to its urban and social development. This amalgamation symbolizes the enduring fusion and coexistence of Dubai's residents throughout its history.

Sneak Hotep also participated with another mural titled ‘Epitome’ (Mithal) in Abu Hail Park, curated by Ahmad Makary. In this work, he passionately pursues perfection in every stroke, circle, and concept. 'Epitome' serves as a silent message for individuals striving to improve themselves daily. It reflects the journey of humanity as individuals, citizens, community members, and a nation, where exemplary qualities are the precious gems that continually shape a better future.