Islamic artworks by Italian artist Antonella Leoni - in pictures
Antonella Leoni is an Italian artist living in Cairo who specialises in Islamic calligraphy. Photo: Obaid Al Budoor
Leoni uses a method called marbling as the starting point for her artworks. Photo: Antonella Leoni
Leoni with her piece Hwa (Him), which includes drawings of birds, bees and honeycombs in the background of the letters. Photo: Antonella Leoni
Leoni's art studio in Cairo. Nada El Sawy / The National
Leoni with her pieces The Good Tree and The Buraq. Nada El Sawy / The National
Leoni's artworks incorporate verses from the Quran, sayings from Hadith and poems by Rumi. Nada El Sawy / The National
Leoni talks passionately about the inspiration and meaning behind each painting. Nada El Sawy / The National
The first three letters of Surah Al Bakara in the Quran, whose meaning remain a mystery. Photo: Antonella Leoni
Leoni at her first solo exhibition at Odyssey Gallery in Cairo in 2021. Photo: Antonella Leoni
Ten of Leoni's artworks were featured at the Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial. Photo: Antonella Leoni
Leoni with Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, chairman of the office of the Ruler of Sharjah, at the Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial in October. Photo: Antonella Leoni
Leoni learnt Arabic and studied calligraphy in Cairo. She signs her paintings with her name in Arabic and year according to the Islamic calendar. Photo: Antonella Leoni
The 99 names of Allah in the shape of the map of Africa. Photo: Antonella Leoni
