Beyond words: Learning the art of writing

Calligraphy workshop commences at Ejaz Art Gallery.

LAHORE: Calligrapher Tahir Binqulander said on Friday that scores of people had attempted to replicate his work.

He was speaking to The Express Tribune at the Ejaz Art Gallery where he has been conducting a three-day workshop to provide students from various fields with the opportunity of trying their hand at calligraphy. Binqulander said conducting the workshop was his answer to those who had attempted to replicate his work. He said he had always wanted to pass on his knowledge and skills to help others understand his style.

A ten by ten feet work of calligraphy created by the artist is being used as the workshop’s template. The work has been divided in equal pieces. Each of those participating in the workshop would replicate a piece of their choice. The finished replicas would then be put together to create a mural that he hopes to exhibit at the gallery next month.

Binqulander said he had been imparting skills to the students in addition to instructing them to replicate his work. He expressed hope that each participant would contribute something from their style to the mural. Binulander said he wanted to use the workshop as a medium of introducing collaborative art.

Umair Arshad, a student from SKANS School of Accountancy, said he had always been interested in pursuing art as a hobby. He said the workshop had come across as an interesting way of exploring the subject. Arshad said he had been striving to give his piece his best shot.

Ayehsa Ansari, mass communication student, said she practiced art as a hobby. “I sketched some figures that were pretty close to the original but have never participated in anything like this,” she said.

Wardah Shah, an art student, she had decided to enrol in the workshop to learn from Binqulander. She said she particularly admired his colour palette. Shah said he was one of the few artists who had given calligraphy a contemporary colour.  “He combines the traditional with the modern,” she opined.

The workshop is open to those interested in observing the process of making the mural. The piece will be displayed at the gallery’s rooftop on March 1, the last day of the workshop.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2015.