Sneak Hotep, an Algerian artist living in Dubai, has produced works around the world, from Amsterdam to Abu Dhabi. Razmig Bedirian / The National
The broad parallel strokes and crescent-like curves of Sneak Hotep’s calligraphy fall across his canvases with varying hues of blue and gold. Razmig Bedirian / The National
The work’s play on shades exudes an illusion of depth, projecting letterforms from the two-dimensionality of the canvas. Razmig Bedirian / The National
The colours in Sneak Hotep’s work are inspired by ancient Egyptian palettes and stones like the lapis lazuli. Razmig Bedirian / The National
Sneak Hotep's intent to break away from the two-dimensionality of calligraphy is particularly noticeable with the installation Analepsis. Razmig Bedirian / The National
A three-sided pillar of plywood adorned with his blue-hued letterforms, the piece is fitted with recycled motherboards at its centre, observable through gaps in the wood. Razmig Bedirian / The National
The inspiration to Analepsis came from an old cupboard in his grandfather’s house in Algeria. Photo: Sneak Hotep
The motherboards within the sculpture were supplied by Dubai Municipality. Photo: Sneak Hotep
While Sneak Hotep has been making a name for himself as a calligrapher for the past decade, he cut his teeth as an artist in 2005 by doing graffiti in Algiers. Photo: Sneak Hotep
While his graffiti in Algeria did not express discontent with any particular political entity, Sneak Hotep says there is no denying that there is an aspect to street art that is inherently political. Photo: Sneak Hotep
