Calligraphic works embody 'Call of the Divine'

Exhibit features blend of modern and traditional calligraphy by renowned artists

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) and the National Heritage & Culture Division have organised a calligraphic exhibition and artist talk called "The Call of the Divine," which features the works of Razwan Baig, Shazian Baig and Shanzay Baig, at the National Art Gallery, Islamabad.

The exhibition showcases a blend of traditional and modern calligraphy, highlighting Quranic verses and Pakistani culture. The artists, part of the renowned Baig family, have exhibited their work internationally and are recognised for their contributions to Pakistani art.

The chief guest at the event, Jamal Shah, who is a renowned visual artist, inaugurated exhibition and praised the works of the calligraphers. He appreciated their unique blend of traditional and modern calligraphy, highlighting Quranic verses and Pakistani culture.

Shah commended the artists' dedication to their craft, emphasising the significance of calligraphy in Islamic art and its ability to convey spiritual messages. He also highlighted the importance of preserving and promoting Pakistani cultural heritage through art.

Artist Razwan Baig is a distinguished scholar, collector and researcher of Islamic art, known for his contemporary Kufic script works. He has studied under renowned calligraphers from Turkey, Baghdad and Pakistan, and his collection has been exhibited at major institutions, including the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Shazian Baig is an Islamic artist, calligrapher and researcher who has also trained under eminent masters of Islamic calligraphy from Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria. He is studying medicine and serves as a researcher for artefacts in the Barlas Collection.

Shanzay Baig, in addition to being an Islamic artist, is a geometrist, sculptor, marbler and marquetry artist. Her works are inspired by historic Islamic monuments. She brings together traditional Islamic crafts and architectural inquiry in her work and also serves as the archival catalogue specialist for the Barlas Collection.

At the inauguration, PNCA Director M Ayoub Jamali said, "Today's gathering invites us to reflect on the enduring beauty of calligraphy and its role in uniting tradition with contemporary expression."