When calligraphy blends with modern design

Bright-coloured calligraphic paintings displayed Quranic verses with prominent use of gold and silver leaves.

LAHORE: Musarrat Arif displayed her calligraphic paintings in a six-day exhibition beginning from November 4 at the Collectors Art Gallery in Gaddafi Stadium.

Arif has participated in several group exhibitions around the world including Pakistan, Hong Kong, Singapore and United Kingdom. The current display is her third solo exhibition.

The artist has used various elements of painters’ techniques. The bright-coloured calligraphic paintings display the Quranic verses with prominent use of gold and silver leaves.

Explaining the theme and the styles of painting, she said that she had used different motifs with bright colours, and had given the traditional calligraphy a modern touch.The traditional Kufic style of calligraphy and the modern Advertiser Naskh have been creatively blended.

Talking to The Express Tribune, the artist said, “I painted using different styles. While I have mainly used a calligraphic technique, I have also treated the paintings with a design element.”  Explaining the half moon and the half sun motifs in her paintings, she said, “The world is half hidden. We always see just one side of things. I want to see and show the good side, that’s why I have made paintings with beautiful Quranic verses. Quran as the ultimate source of knowledge is the theme of my work. I find it most satisfying”

She talked at length about inspiration behind her work. “I have a strong religious background. Back in college, the topic of my thesis was Sufi poetry using patch work. During a tour to Iran, a beautifully painted copy of the Quran inspired me to choose this particular style of calligraphy.”

Arif Khan, from the faculty of calligraphy in Punjab University’s College of Art and Design appreciated the detail in the artist’s work. He said, “The detail is impressive and the composition well balanced. Her recent work is totally different from her work in the past.”

Painter Saeed Akhtar, also present at the exhibition, too, appreciated the artist’s use of calligraphic styles. “She has used the traditional and modern style of calligraphy in a skillful way. Her paintings are an aesthetic treat for the spectators,” he said.

The exhibition will continue till November 9.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2010.