DUBAI // The eighth Dubai International Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition welcomed more than 380,000 visitors last month, with nearly 80 per cent of work on display being bought by art enthusiasts.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, visited the exhibition and expressed his satisfaction with its contribution to establishing Dubai as a global hub for culture, according to the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.
Among the highlights of the annual exhibition was the display of a part of the personal calligraphy collection owned by Sheikh Mohammed and sections of the holy Quran of King Hussein bin Talal with engravings in Mamluk Islamic-style calligraphy.
The event featured work from more than 50 calligraphy artists including classicists and modernists along with 500 people who participated in the workshops, presenting the diversity, evolution and trends in this art form.
The aim of the workshops was to challenge artists to go beyond the classical foundation of calligraphy and bring it closer to the modern art forms of Islamic and Arab communities in a bid to bring it to the largest possible audience.
“We are delighted with the outstanding interest to the exhibition, which provided unique insights into classical and modern calligraphy,” said Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Health and chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. “The workshops enabled the participants to gain a clearer perspective of the aesthetics and heritage of Arabic calligraphy while contributing to inspiring a new generation of artists in this compelling art form that celebrates the aesthetic marvel of the Arabic language,” he said.
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