New beginnings: Calligraphic exhibition to mark the beginning of the Islamic year

Scriptures and quotes translated into colour and texture.

To herald the start of the Islamic year, Gallery Louvre is hosting a calligraphy exhibition featuring artists from all over the country. This was stated in a press release issued by the gallery here on Wednesday.

The collection will display styles of the art form in diverse media.

The curator and owner of the gallery, Alina Saeed, said, “We aim to promote all kinds of visual arts, calligraphy being an important aspect.”

She added, “In a Muslim society, almost every household has calligraphic wall hangings, inspired from various verses of the Quran. [With this exhibition,] we intend to offer more variety and enable new comers to learn under the tutelage of renowned artists.”

Ahmad Khan, for instance, is celebrated for his luminous paintings and traditional interpretation of line and form. The gestural beauty of the line is translated by the artist into an exciting contemporary personal expression assimilating a unique and complex process.

Another renowned artist to make an appearance at the exhibition will be M A Bukhari, who has calligraphed 99 names of Allah in different collages. In his work, Bukhari employs painting techniques and blends modern art with cultural and religious values.

He is known for his large canvases, broad strokes and vibrant colours, which signify his creativity as well as aesthetic sensibilities. The artist uses paint generously, applying it in thick layers with an abandon that is eye-catching and bewildering at the same time. The exhibition will open at the gallery on Thursday.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2011.