Mestaria Gallery in Dubai is hosting Calligraformism, a solo show by prominent Iraqi artist Wissam Shawkat. This showcase of his innovative approach to Arabic calligraphy will run through 11 December 2024, offering visitors a glimpse into his extraordinary artistry.
Shawkat, celebrated for revolutionising contemporary Arabic calligraphy, created the Al Wissam calligraphic style, which elegantly blends elements from different classical Arabic scripts like Sunbuli, Jali Diwani, Eastern Kufic, and Thuluth, with modern design principles. Building upon this foundation, the artist developed Calligraforms, a groundbreaking concept. It involves enlarging intricate details within the letters and incorporating abstract geometric shapes, thus redefining the traditional aesthetics of calligraphy.
In Calligraformism, Arabic letters are liberated from their linguistic function and traditional constraints, inviting viewers to appreciate their beauty as standalone visual forms. This artistic philosophy reflects Shawkat’s aim to transcend the boundaries of classical calligraphy, celebrating the inherent beauty of letterforms as abstract art.
Rooted in the rich tradition of Thuluth, a script famous for its elegance and complexity, Shawkat’s work introduces elements of abstraction, transforming classical forms into dynamic compositions. Letters evolve into fluid shapes, lines, and forms, breaking free from their rigid structures and redefining their visual identity.
About the artist
Wissam Shawkat (b. 1974, Basrah, Iraq) is an artist, designer, calligrapher, and typographer based in Dubai. A lifelong devotee of Arabic calligraphy, Shawkat began his studies in 1984 and started working professionally as a calligrapher and graphic designer in 1990. He studied Civil Engineering at Basra University (Basrah), from which he graduated in 1996, and continued refining his skills by studying the works of famous Turkish calligraphy masters and exploring museum and library collections.
Today, Shawkat is a senior designer and consultant specialising in Arabic typography and brand identity. He has worked with leading global brands, including Tiffany & Co., Chopard, Hermès, Vertue, and Jo Malone London.
Shawkat’s intricate art pieces are created using traditional tools such as handmade reed pens and inks, which he uses to push the boundaries of Arabic calligraphy. His inspirations extend beyond calligraphy to include art movements like Bauhaus, Geometric Abstraction, Futurism, and Cubism, as well as contemporary artist Cecil Touchon’s works.
Shawkat’s art has been displayed in many local and international exhibitions, such as Monumental 11/11 (solo) (Tashkeel, Dubai, 2016); the Dubai International Calligraphy Exhibition (2004, 2005, 2007), Visual & Audible (Sharjah, UAE, 2001–2003), and Nasamat Min Baghdad (Saint-Angelo, Italy, 2000). In Dubai, one can also see Shawkat’s public artworks, which include a calligraphy wall at the Cultural and Scientific Association; the design of the Calligraphy at Mr. Majed Al Futtaim Mosque; and the Calligraphy and design of the wall graphics at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
Shawkat has also received prestigious awards, including the Al Burda Prize (Abu Dhabi, 2007), the First Prize of the Visual & Audible Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition, season 6 (Sharjah, 2003); the Iraq Calligraphy Society Prize (Baghdad, 2002); and recognition in competitions like the International Calligraphy Competition (IRCICA) and the Al-Baraka Turk Bank Calligraphy Competition (Istanbul, 2005).
To get more information about Calligraformism, please go to the official website of Mestaria Gallery.
In addition, you might consider attending Reflections & Inspirations from Emirati Heritage on view at the Sharjah Heritage Museum.
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