Inloco Gallery is hosting Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees, a solo exhibition by Tunisian artist Karim Jabbari, whose work in light calligraphy has earned international recognition. On display until 30 May 2025, the show is part of Inloco Gallery’s project that delves into themes of lost tradition and urban nostalgia within the context of contemporary Dubai’s public space.
At the heart of the exhibition is a personal and poetic engagement with Arab heritage. Drawing from a selection of classical poetry from his father’s library, Jabbari presents an evocative blend of handwritten calligraphic pieces, sculptural objects, and photographs of his mesmerising light performances. These elements create a layered narrative that bridges the personal with the collective, the ancestral with the contemporary.
The show’s title, Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees, highlights the tension between two forces shaping the modern human condition: the vertical axis, symbolising deep cultural rootedness, and the expanded horizon, representing a state of constant flux and heightened awareness. By invoking a 361st degree — beyond the traditional circle — Jabbari signals a conscious step past convention, suggesting an openness to multidimensional thought and perception. “That extra degree is […] a moment of realisation when you choose to break free from the loop and see the world differently,” the artist explains. “It is about awareness, about [going] beyond what is expected, and that is exactly what I want my art to encourage.”
About the artist
Karim Jabbari (b. 1978, Tunisia) is a Dubai-based multidisciplinary artist famous for bridging ancient calligraphic traditions with digital and time-based media. He first encountered calligraphy through classical Arabic manuscripts preserved by his father: a formative experience that continues to inform his practice. Fusing classical and contemporary influences, Jabbari produces site-responsive installations that engage with architecture, memory, and light.
Jabbari is widely recognised for pioneering light calligraphy, a technique in which he writes in the air with a handheld light source, captured through long-exposure photography. This practice expands the boundaries of Arabic calligraphy, transforming it into an ephemeral, performative, and spatial medium.
Jabbari’s work has been showcased in multiple international exhibitions and events, which include the First Islamic Biennale (Jeddah, KSA, 2023); Sharjah Calligraphy Biennale (Sharjah, 2022); and Festival d’Afrique (Montreal, Canada, 2015), among others. His art pieces are in esteemed public collections such as the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre (Kuwait), the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) (KSA), ADMAF Art Collection (Abu Dhabi), and the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (Riyadh, KSA).
Among his achievements are the runner-up award at the First Islamic Creativity Awards in Dubai and recognition as one of the Top 30 Public Artists by the International Award for Public Art (IAPA). He has also been honoured by H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi for his contributions to the Sharjah Calligraphy Biennale in 2014. Jabbari is the founder of the Streets Urban Festival in Tunis and the creator of North Africa’s longest mural in Kasserine (Tunisia).
To get more information about Vertical Horizon / 361 Degrees, please visit the official web page of the exhibition.
In addition, you may be interested in exploring Eternal Letters: Qur’an Manuscripts from the Abdul Rahman Al Owais Collection, an exhibition at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization. We would also recommend that you view Still They Know Not What I Dream by Shilpa Gupta.
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