The Who

Bahman Panahi

Bahman Panahi

Ever since I started doing calligraphy, from my early adolescence, I have always worked on lines and points, the basic elements in the aesthetic of calligraphy. Lines and points are my artistic language, the vocabulary of my works. In the beginning I was inspired from outside forms, such as nature,...

Ever since I started doing calligraphy, from my early adolescence, I have always worked on lines and points, the basic elements in the aesthetic of calligraphy. Lines and points are my artistic language, the vocabulary of my works. In the beginning I was inspired from outside forms, such as nature, landscapes, shadows, images, texts, and even my dreams. Sometimes visual and sometimes through sounds, but mostly a mix of both. Recently, lines and points have started to come from inside of me, my being. I prolong through the extension of lines, stop at the points, and extend again. The voice of my heart guides me. Happy or sad, calm or agitated, cold or hot. The lines and points are on fire in my heart. They are burning but bring light in the darkness.

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Akil Ahmad

Akil Ahmad

A dedicated artist, Akil was born in 1988 in Syria. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine arts in Aleppo and currently lives in Beirut Lebanon. He has a summer studio in Mersin, Turkey. His passion for Arabic calligraphy began at a young age and until now he has been...

A dedicated artist, Akil was born in 1988 in Syria. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine arts in Aleppo and currently lives in Beirut Lebanon. He has a summer studio in Mersin, Turkey. His passion for Arabic calligraphy began at a young age and until now he has been developing this skill through philosophical and intellectual means related to the letter’s Arabic and Islamic culture. He has participated in several exhibitions worldwide and his artworks can be found in private collections in Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, USA, Austria, Germany, Britain and Ireland. Akil’s artworks are based on Arabic musical ‘Maqams’, where he converts them from their audio pattern to an optical pattern. He explains, «When I hear a voice inside of me, I try to hold all these moments of ecstasy and invert them into a letter, a word, an optical language.” Akil searches for an optical modern language for the Arabic letter.

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Saleh Al Shukairi

Saleh Al Shukairi

Saleh believes and is passionate about Arabic calligraphy rich of heritage and believes that every Arabic letters holds a hidden story behind it’s own shapes and movements. he believes that he should unveil for future generations these stories. Through his 31 years of experience working on his passion he worked...

Saleh believes and is passionate about Arabic calligraphy rich of heritage and believes that every Arabic letters holds a hidden story behind it’s own shapes and movements. he believes that he should unveil for future generations these stories. Through his 31 years of experience working on his passion he worked in different projects within the GCC and other European countries. Saleh was balancing between his profession in logistics management and Arabic calligraphy. Throw the years of experience Saleh worked in different materials and projects which helped him create his own style in shaping arabic calligraphy letters in memorable form in different projects.

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Ramin Shirdel

Ramin Shirdel

Ramin Shirdel states, “an image, a poem, a lyric, a landscape or a dialogue” in everyday life can spark his imagination. Such inspirations, combined with formal considerations of space, merge into an individualised style that takes into account the simultaneity of lived experiences that the artist renders through his mixed...

Ramin Shirdel states, “an image, a poem, a lyric, a landscape or a dialogue” in everyday life can spark his imagination. Such inspirations, combined with formal considerations of space, merge into an individualised style that takes into account the simultaneity of lived experiences that the artist renders through his mixed media art works. Working in assemblage creates a sense of dimensionality that alludes to built forms while allowing signifiers of language to come alive as tangible signs.   Ramin Shirdel received a Master of Architecture from Tehran University of Art and is an award-winning architect who has designed local and international projects. Although Shirdel chose architecture as his vocation, art, specifically painting, has been with him since childhood.   Born in Tehran in 1981, Ramin Shirdel continues to live and work in the Iranian capital. He has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions at Ayyam Gallery DIFC, Dubai (2014); Haft Negah at Niavaran Cultural Center (2012); Elahe Gallery, Tehran (2011) and the sixth Biennale of Sculpture at Niavaran Cultural Center, Tehran (2011). His works are housed in private collections throughout the Middle East and the United States.

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Botrous Al Maari

Botrous Al Maari

Born in 1968 in Damascus, Syria, Boutros al-Maari graduated with a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology from the École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS) in Paris in 2006, and a degree in Printmaking from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Damascus University, in 1991, where he worked as a Professor...

Born in 1968 in Damascus, Syria, Boutros al-Maari graduated with a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology from the École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS) in Paris in 2006, and a degree in Printmaking from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Damascus University, in 1991, where he worked as a Professor of Fine Arts. In addition to being a prolific painter, Al-Maari is a writer and illustrator of children’s books which have been published in Paris. He has held ten solo exhibitions in Damascus, Paris, Dubai and Beirut, most recently at Galerie Claude Lemand in Paris in 2019. He has participated in a large number of group exhibitions in Damascus, Beirut, Alexandria, Kuwait, Frankfurt, Hanover, Paris and Singapore. He currently lives and works in Hamburg, Germany. His works of art have also been acquired by the Ministry of Syrian Culture and Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris (IMA). Furthermore, one of his paintings has recently sold at Christie’s

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Bassam Kyrillos

Bassam Kyrillos

Born in 1971, Byblos, Lebanon. Bassam Kyrillos is a Lebanese sculptor who lives and works in Byblos, Lebanon. His body of work encompasses both the monumental and the figurative, demonstrating mastery in a variety of media, including unconventional bronze and aluminum casting techniques, as well as the incorporation of industrial...

Born in 1971, Byblos, Lebanon. Bassam Kyrillos is a Lebanese sculptor who lives and works in Byblos, Lebanon. His body of work encompasses both the monumental and the figurative, demonstrating mastery in a variety of media, including unconventional bronze and aluminum casting techniques, as well as the incorporation of industrial materials. His recent work delves into the stories of place through cycles of destruction and regeneration. Bassam Kyrillos creates sculptures of an alternate urbanity, a place bearing witness to its history while simultaneously regenerating itself, inhabiting the border zones between devastation and renewal. These structures bear the scars of conflict while also bursting with organic potential, searching for survival strategies that are essential to the continuation of life. Bassam, a Ph.D holder at the University of Sorbonne, has exhibited both locally and internationally, most notably at the Sursock Museum in Beirut and several International Biennales, including the Islamic Biennial in Iran and the Alexandria Biennial in Egypt. He has taken part in several group exhibitions and art fairs in Paris, Moscow, Hong Kong, Basel, Dubai, and Beirut. Bassam has been a professor of fine arts at the Lebanese University in Beirut since 2001. This sculpture was inspired by the futuristic museum’s monument. It is made of Aluminium and Patina. The power of intention to work and construct is symbolized by the hand holding the monument. The idea of innovation is represented by the two horizontal pieces moving out of the oval, which creates a path out of the closed system. The connection and balance between materialistic and spiritual values is represented by the horizontal and vertical lines.

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Sassan Naser Nia

Sassan Naser Nia

Born in Tehran, 1974, Sasan Nasernia began his career primarily as a calligrapher and typography artist. Exploring different avenues in Persian and Arabic classical and modern calligraphy, he has since expanded his practice to include painting, print, digital work and installation. Nasernia, who has a BFA from Azad Art University...

Born in Tehran, 1974, Sasan Nasernia began his career primarily as a calligrapher and typography artist. Exploring different avenues in Persian and Arabic classical and modern calligraphy, he has since expanded his practice to include painting, print, digital work and installation. Nasernia, who has a BFA from Azad Art University of Tehran; explores a myriad of themes in his practice. He is broadly interested in playing with the tension between two opposing primordial elements of order and chaos. Sometimes borrowing from traditional Persian paintings and iconography, he immerses these elements in abstraction and ambiguity, infused with his letterforms. Nasernia also employs the icons of our world – past and present – to create a visual lexicon of his own. Nasernia’s approach to calligraphy has always been a personal journey to find novel ways to create letterforms out of the most contemporary concepts. By deconstructing the rules of Arabic and Persian calligraphy and by borrowing from the earliest types of this form of art, he has developed his signature format of writing which he playfully calls “Crazy Kufic”. According to Nasernia, “Crazy Kufic” and its unique characteristics allow the artist to explore the concept of fluidity and uncertainty in our natural as well as extramundane worlds. In his recent attempts, he tries a new approach towards the structure of his calligraphic art, where most times a text is completely devoid of meaning; while in contrast, an empty space or a simple symmetrical juxtaposition, may suggest a metaphysical conjecture or even an existential raison d’être. He has exhibited his work in multiple group as well as solo shows throughout the Middle East, United States and the UK. Nasernia currently lives and works in Vancouver. The inspiration behind this body of work came from a philosophical idea that refers to the underlying layer of the world of sounds, words, and tangible objects: an ineffable, vibrant and ever-present substrate. Perhaps the best approach to it can be likened to a form of silence. My goal is to point to this layer and put it in a dialog with the outer layer, which is made up of information and phenomena.

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Anachar Basbous

Anachar Basbous

” I was born in a field of sculptures.” ” Shapes were jutting from the ground like ever-growing trees. I can still see myself climbing those stone fortresses, those modern towers carved by my father’s hands; hiding behind those figures, playing with cousins and friends. That was my playground…” Born...

” I was born in a field of sculptures.” ” Shapes were jutting from the ground like ever-growing trees. I can still see myself climbing those stone fortresses, those modern towers carved by my father’s hands; hiding behind those figures, playing with cousins and friends. That was my playground…” Born in 1969, Lebanon. Lives and works in Rachana, Lebanon. Anachar lives with his wife and two children in Rachana, a village of open-air sculptures overlooking the wide expanse of the Mediterranean Sea. He was born into a family of artists, his father Michel Basbous, was a renowned sculptor in his own right, and his mother a writer and poet. Anachar lived and breathed art and creativity since his birth. He made his ?rst sculpture at the age of 10. Even his name anachar is a play on his birthplace, forever tying him to his magical place. Anachar finished his studies in beirut; then continued his graduate studies in Paris at the ENSAAMA (Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts et des Métiers d’Art) where he specialized in architectural wall design. When he returned to Lebanon in 1992, he opened his own sculpture workshop in Rachana where he dedicated himself to stone, wood and metal sculptures, as well as mural sculptures. His works can be found across Lebanon and beyond, in public places, hotels, private residences and gardens. In 2008, he was commissioned to design a ten meter bronze memorial to commemorate the life and death of Prime Minister Rafic Hariri on the exact spot where the latter was assassinated by an enormous car bomb in Downtown Beirut. His sculptures appear in many private collections as well as in public places in Lebanon, France, United States, UK, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and beyond. Selected Exhibitions: – 2000 Stone sculpture at the Biennale of Chaco Argentina – 2000 Wood sculpture at the symposium of Alem Argentina – 2002 Stone sculpture symposium in Fes, Morocco – 2003 Stone sculpture symposium in Turkey – 2004 “Salon d’Automne” Sursock Museum Beirut – 2007 “Salon d’Automne” Sursock Museum Beirut – 2008 Memorial of Ra?c Hariri in St Georges Beirut – 2011 Bronze sculpture for the city of Mont-Royal, Montreal Canada – 2012 Solo exhibition (Beirut exhibition center – Soludere) Downtown Beirut – 2013 Solo exhibition (Artsawa Gallery) DIFC Dubai – 2013 Solo exhibition Art Lounge / Beiteddine Palace Lebanon. – 2015 Solo exhibition AGIAL Art Gallery / Beirut Lebanon. -2016 AGIAL Art Gallery / Art Dubai. -2016 AGIAL Art Gallery / Abu Dhabi Art fair. -2017 Grand Palais / Art Capital / Paris France. -2018 Solo exhibition / Saleh Barakat Gallery / Beirut Lebanon -2019 AGIAL Art Gallery / Abu Dhabi Art fair

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Babak Rashvand

Babak Rashvand

Babak Rashvand, an Iranian artrepreneur who is far ahead of his time was born in 1980. His professional life in calligraphy painting started very early on when he was only 7 years old with his father as a mentor. Since his first drafts and practices, he was greatly inclined to...

Babak Rashvand, an Iranian artrepreneur who is far ahead of his time was born in 1980. His professional life in calligraphy painting started very early on when he was only 7 years old with his father as a mentor. Since his first drafts and practices, he was greatly inclined to colors and paintings. He outperformed classic calligraphy due to his eye-catching talent in colors and painting. Immediately after high school majoring in visual communication, surprisingly for others yet ordinary for himself, he was among the top-ranking students in both bachelor and master course entrance examinations. Meanwhile, constantly during his education he kept the balance between learning theories and attending practical sketching and painting courses. He has enjoyed prominent honors; among them, the most featured one was the presence and publication of his work as the youngest artist at age 16 in the International World Calligraphy Exhibition and Catalog. Later, he successfully got his M.A. degree in Visual Communication from Tehran University, faculty of fine arts as a top student. Graduation was a critical point in his professional life. Fearlessly he entered the world of letters, to be specific calligraphy. His astonishing talent in recognizing different types and forms of Iranian and Arabic classic calligraphy led him into developing and presenting his style. His perspective was merely focusing on the visual essence of letters. Moreover, he concentrated on the implied visual power that exists in the structure, shapes, and calligraphy as a unifying visual element in his piece of art. Furthermore, abstract calligraphy or calligraphy painting, which is known ‘Naqashikhat’ in Iran, are in numerous ambiances and styles. Although there may have different shapes at the surface, they represent a whole labeled as ‘corporate identity’ which are inspired by the spirits and styles of artists in a different school of thoughts, such as abstract, expressionism, and occasionally contractive and constructivism. Dominant features of his work fall into two fields: his visual attitude towards letters excluding readability and writing, and his creation of new unique forms out of calligraphy painting that is inseparable from his signature. He still illustrates colors and atmospheres in a multilayered way. Usually, he asserts that manipulating colors and lights, his important concept, creates a dynamic and viable ambiance. In conclusion, generally, Babak’s pieces of art are more close to paintings rather than calligraphy. Some of his honors are as follows: taking part in numerous international art fairs and auctions (Tehran Auction 2020 and 2016, Context Art Miami 2016, Abu Dhabi Art 2016, Magic of Persia in Dubai 2015, Bonhams Auction London 2014, Viennafair 2012, Million Auction in Dubai 2012 and 4th International Calligraphy Exhibition & Workshop in Moscow 2012), having his work in museums and some royal families collection, presenting some solo exhibitions ( London, Tehran, Amman and …), publishing articles and teaching arts at universities.

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Mustafa Ali

Mustafa Ali

Sculptor, born in Latakia, Syria in 1956. Founder and owner of Gallery Mustafa Ali, which supports the Syrian art movement on local and international levels, especially young artists. First prize for competition held by the Arab World Institute in Paris on the occasion of its 25th birthday, which included implementing an artwork...

Sculptor, born in Latakia, Syria in 1956.

Founder and owner of Gallery Mustafa Ali, which supports the Syrian art movement on local and international levels, especially young artists.

First prize for competition held by the Arab World Institute in Paris on the occasion of its 25th birthday, which included implementing an artwork on its roof in 2008. Winner if EMAAR’s International Art Symposium’s prize (2007) Golden Prize, Latakia Biennale (1997) Bronze Prize, Sharjah Biennale (1992) Designed the prize for Damascus Cinema Festival
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Ahmad Al Moualla

Ahmad Al Moualla

Ahmad Moualla, who studied classical calligraphy, graphics, and visual communication, calls himself a painter and a designer. He is recognized as one of the leading exponents in contemporary Syrian expressionism, and was one of the first of his peers to introduce performance into his work. Moualla has become known for...

Ahmad Moualla, who studied classical calligraphy, graphics, and visual communication, calls himself a painter and a designer. He is recognized as one of the leading exponents in contemporary Syrian expressionism, and was one of the first of his peers to introduce performance into his work. Moualla has become known for his large-scale figural paintings and a theatrical sense of composition; he explores the relationship between society and the individual, blurring the boundaries between past and present, reality and fiction. More recently, Moualla has begun to incorporate calligraphy elements into his work, which he considers closely related to his representational figuration. In these, the calligraphy is not always legible, sometimes only serving as a texture.

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Marwan Talaa

Marwan Talaa

Marwan Talaa was born in the Golan in 1955. He lived in Damascus. Moved to Oman from 2013-2020 Resident in Turkey since 2020. Calligrapher, visual artist, musician, instrumentalist and maker of the flute instrument Researcher in Arabic letters, fonts and their types Participated in local and international exhibitions about Arabic...

Marwan Talaa was born in the Golan in 1955. He lived in Damascus. Moved to Oman from 2013-2020 Resident in Turkey since 2020. Calligrapher, visual artist, musician, instrumentalist and maker of the flute instrument Researcher in Arabic letters, fonts and their types Participated in local and international exhibitions about Arabic calligraphy and Islamic decoration. Experience in silkscreen printing. Workshops in Arabic calligraphy, paper, subjugation and ink industry Researcher of Sufi music He worked in the illiterate group of the Syrian Ministry of Culture He worked in the Sufi singing group Hamza Shakour

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Abdessamad Bouysramne

Abdessamad Bouysramne

Contemporary Moroccan visual artist Abdessamad Bouysramne (born 1995 in Marrakech) engages in a variety of artistic mediums. He received his degree from Casablanca’s Higher School of Fine Arts. Based on a conceptual and modern vision, Bouysramne has established a broad and extremely ambitious artistic and professional experience with a variety of interests and orientations. He...

Contemporary Moroccan visual artist Abdessamad Bouysramne (born 1995 in Marrakech)
engages in a variety of artistic mediums. He received his degree from Casablanca’s Higher School
of Fine Arts.
Based on a conceptual and modern vision, Bouysramne has established a broad and extremely
ambitious artistic and professional experience with a variety of interests and orientations.
He has taken part in various solo and group art exhibitions and events over the past few years,
both inside and outside of Morocco. He explores the idea of “Human Influence with the Process
of Time” in his artworks. Since we are the impacts of the future and since we are aware that
modern man is a cumulative product of many of the advancements passed down to us by our
ancestors, we are the ones who decide the traits of our future generations. Due to the cosmic
and visual dimension that writing invokes, which transcends geography and time, he creates
visual archaeological spaces in his works that are intended to awaken the human common and
touch the intersections of civilization.
The tangible and intangible legacies that we possess today raise our astonishment and shape
them. These legacies came from the depth of knowledge and culture that has characterized man
throughout history, and among the most notable monuments that caught the artist’s eye were
those written, whether they were on paper, leather, or carved on rock. Bouysramne was
astounded by this recorded human trace, which also gave him a philosophical and symbolic
vision connected to numerous cultures as he was looking for the civilized commons.
Additionally, the written record—whether it be written, etched,engraved, drawn, etc.—formed
the basis for the growth of science in all of its manifestations. This inspired the artist to choose
writing as a topic of study and endeavor, as well as a crucial component in the visual work he is
attempting to construct.
Although many of them did not withstand intentional and unintentional burns and damages, the
handwriting or sunken or bas-relief inscriptions in our language are considered to have a
civilized spirit that has withstood and resisted the vicissitudes of time. This gives them a
mythological dimension, which Bouysramne pursues in his pigmentary depictions and other
visual artworks.
Abdessamad Bouysramne attempts to capture this conflict between good and evil in the visual
space of his paintings. He emphasizes the positive and luminous influence through personalitybased aesthetics, as an expressive unit at the pinnacle of the world of ideals, where kindness is
the dominant actor. The recipient is made aware of the amount to which man is turned into evil
by the barest forms of decadence as it gives space to unfavorable and bad repercussions in an
expressive manner.
Language is an aesthetic component that can be matched to the various forms and currents of
contemporary art, according to Bouysramne’s artistic interpretation of the Arabic character. As
the founding father of Cubism, Pablo Picasso said, “Whenever I wanted to get to a point, I found
that Arabic writing preceded me.” From the same vantage point, Abdessamad Bouysramne’s
experience extends to include writing and calligraphy in the experience in an effort to develop
fresh dynamics and contemporary art trends. Through the use of pigment photography,
installation art, video, Land Art, and other mediums, he is able to present his ideas and work in a
contemporary manner.

Artist Statement

The letter is erased in Abdessamad  Bouysramne’s recent works, in favor of the singular and scenic presence of writing in its archaeological dimension. That is, the presence of the form in its cosmic dimension, where movement and gesture are the basis for the visual and graphic work of the performer. However, at the same time, the work maintains its iconic sanctity, which is obtained from the sanctity of the obligatory implied letter.

Azzeddine Bourga

Art Critic

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Hadi Kassous

Hadi Kassous

Nature is every artist’s inspiration and teacher, I was born in a Syrian city which mesmerizing nature that is evergreen … I have learned from the scenes at my beginnings I also consider that the universe is an integrated unit and I see its details in a coherent way, and...

Nature is every artist’s inspiration and teacher, I was born in a Syrian city which mesmerizing nature that is evergreen … I have learned from the scenes at my beginnings I also consider that the universe is an integrated unit and I see its details in a coherent way, and my first experience was drawing our mother nature and human beings. I have succeeded in understanding the physics of the light, the shapes and colors. Thus, I was able to create shapes and link them to my own concept and vision and I was spontaneously drawing these details out of experiments and heavy work, reading and practice … So, I had a good visual memory that captures every detail and here I learned to build artwork on important things which is passion (love) and rationality. The artwork is set in the mind and ends with love, and here lies the creativity. My first ever expressive drawing experience was illustrated in my solo exhibition in Beirut in 2015, in which I addressed a humanitarian issue through the crisis in my country, Syria, and after that, a second expressive experience in 2017 in my second solo exhibition in Beirut entitled ( fun and seriousness ) was a radiant and successful exhibition and a it gave people a sparkle of a new hope that was alive in my memory when I lived in my country during the good old days. Then escaping towards a new scene away from sadness and pain … My lettering experience – the Arabic letter is a summary of my previous experiences, and the integration of the Arabic letter in the painting and the use of graceful crafts and access to contemporary artwork with different techniques, drawing are ongoing experiences are ongoing that aim to present the most beautiful and contemporary art with all the details promising that the coming paintings would be more beautiful.

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Randa Choueiri

Randa Choueiri

Randa Choueiri is an inspiring Jewelry Designer and Interior Architect who passionately sculpts unique, elegant and sophisticated Art pieces, which can be conceived both as Jewels and as Sculptural collector’s pieces in unimaginable dimensions. She has been mostly known for her worldliness in the work of Glass since the late...

Randa Choueiri is an inspiring Jewelry Designer and Interior Architect who passionately sculpts unique, elegant and sophisticated Art pieces, which can be conceived both as Jewels and as Sculptural collector’s pieces in unimaginable dimensions. She has been mostly known for her worldliness in the work of Glass since the late 90s and for her futuristic vision and flexibility with the material she specializes in. Merging between Fashion and Artistic Cosmopolitan Creations, Randa always makes sure to make you or your Interiors stand out from the rest in the work field.

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ALIA AL FARSI

ALIA AL FARSI

ALIA AL FARSI HOLDS AN INEFFABLE BELIEF IN THE NEED TO EXPLORE INNER BEAUTY AND TO HELP PROJECT IT TO DISCERNING VIEWERS. NOT HINDERED BY STEREOTYPICAL DEFINITIONS OF ART AND THE MEANS OF EXPRESSING IT, SHE IMBUES A SENSE OF STYLE IN ALL THAT SHE CREATES. A FIRM BELIEVER THAT ART NEEDS STRONG...

ALIA AL FARSI HOLDS AN INEFFABLE BELIEF IN THE
NEED TO EXPLORE INNER BEAUTY AND TO HELP
PROJECT IT TO DISCERNING VIEWERS. NOT HINDERED BY STEREOTYPICAL DEFINITIONS OF ART AND THE MEANS OF EXPRESSING IT, SHE IMBUES A SENSE OF STYLE IN ALL THAT SHE CREATES.

A FIRM BELIEVER THAT ART NEEDS STRONG ROOTS BUT THESE SHOULD NOT ACT AS BARRIERS TO CREATIVITY AND HENCE HER INTERPRETATIONS OF ARABIC ART TAKE ON CEREBRAL FORMS AND
TEXTURES.

THE SCALE OF WHAT SHE CAN CREATE SPANS FROM INTRICATE PALM SIZED BOXES TO LARGE WALL PAINTINGS AND EVEN AIR-FORCE JET
FIGHTERS.

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Hamza Bounoua

Hamza Bounoua

Born in 1979 in Algeria‚He studied at the School of Fine Arts in Algeria. Since 1998, the artist has been invited to exhibit internationally in France, Brazil, Kuwait, Canada, New York Belgium, Bahrain,Dubai, Sarajevo, Italy, Chine, Tunisia and England In 2008, at the request of the Minister of Culture of...

Born in 1979 in Algeria‚He studied at the School of Fine Arts in Algeria. Since 1998, the artist has been invited to exhibit internationally in France, Brazil, Kuwait, Canada, New York Belgium, Bahrain,Dubai, Sarajevo, Italy, Chine, Tunisia and England In 2008, at the request of the Minister of Culture of Algeria, Hamza presented his one man show to celebrate the Opening of the Modern Museum of Algiers.

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Saeed Khooyeh

Saeed Khooyeh

Date of Birth: 1986 Place of birth: Iran Tehran Artist. Designer. Painter. Calligrapher. Decorator Educations: Bachelor of Graphics, Tarbiat Dabir Shahid Rajaei University, Tehran. Master of Art in Graphics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran. Graduated from the Fine Arts Campus of the University of Tehran in interior decoration field and interior architecture. Holder of excellent degree in calligraphy...

Date of Birth: 1986
Place of birth: Iran Tehran
Artist. Designer. Painter. Calligrapher. Decorator
Educations: Bachelor of Graphics, Tarbiat Dabir Shahid Rajaei University, Tehran.
Master of Art in Graphics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran.
Graduated from the Fine Arts Campus of the University of Tehran in interior decoration field and interior
architecture.
Holder of excellent degree in calligraphy from Iranian Calligraphers Association.
Member of Iranian Visual Arts Development Association.
Member of the Iranian Calligraphers Association.
Member of the Iranian Painters Association.
Participation in many group exhibitions.
Participate in various wall paintings (murals) and environmental graphics projects in
Tehran.
Professional activity since 2000.

Experiences:

1.Group exhibition in Sa Gallery 2019
2. Group exhibition of Shellman 2019
3. Bismillah bird in Palestine Contemporary Art Museum 2020
4. Group exhibition in Land of Art Gallery 2020
5. One of selected Artworks of Iran Calligraphy 2020
6. Selected for the 13th Fajr Visual Arts Festival2020
7. International Art fare of Istanbul Fall 2020
8. Group exhibition in Ghasr Museum Garden 2019
9. selected for the first visualization of Sohrab Sepehri with two artworks in Kashan 2019
10. Group exhibition in Azadi Tower 2020
11. Group exhibition in Saba Gallery Calligraphy 2020
12. Group exhibition in Mojhdeh Gallery 2020
13. Group exhibition in Hameh Gallery (Art Design) 2020
14. Group exhibition of painting in Istanbul Apollo Gallery Winter 2020
15. Group exhibition in sheith Gallery March 2021
16. Group exhibition in Bulgaria April 2021
17. Solo exhibition in Sharjah Calligraphy biennial 2022
18. Group exhibition of Calligraphy in Mura Gallery May 2022

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Abd Elmalik Nounouhi

Abd Elmalik Nounouhi

I was Born in 1971 in the highlands of the Moroccan Rif, in Beni Saîd where I grew up till my late teens. I moved to Paris, France in 1990 to study Mathematics but changed paths to dedicate myself entirely to the art of calligraphy shortly after my studies.   As passionate...

I was Born in 1971 in the highlands of the Moroccan Rif, in Beni Saîd where I grew up till my late teens. I moved to Paris, France in 1990 to study Mathematics but changed paths to dedicate myself entirely to the art of calligraphy shortly after my studies.

 

As passionate as i was for Mathematics it was practically impossible for me not to be drawn in by the art of calligraphy from the obeyed certain rules of harmony, logic and balance. I’ve always believed that the makeup of calligraphy was closely connected with mathematical reasoning and geometric rules. Therefore going from mathematical symbols to an artistic interpretation of Arabic lettering was a logical progression for me.

Being self taught artist, calligraphy has been a link to my motherland and to the memories of the first contact with Arabic script at the age of five.

My Arabic creative engagement with calligraphy and words is profoundly rooted in the desire to manipulate letters and words, lines and forms, space and color, depth and perspective. Whether working with ink or painting, mixed media or installation, I devote myself to both the conceptual and the graphic qualities of letters, words and texts. On the canvas, I do not think about what I want to paint . I do not do a sketch before. I totally rely on letters visual poetry .By orchestrating them in painting, I’m just trying to create a space in which they appear, they exist by themselves and give life to the canvas. Creating a modern abstract language of signs : ‘Al Horoufia’ : (lettrism) or Calligraffiti. No matter how it is called the essential is that it gives birth to an ‘Artistic Language’.

 

Since ancient times, the art of calligraphic penmanship has evolved as a bridge between the spiritual and the material, the verbal and the visual and has transported the Arabic language to the world.

When we talk about Calligraphy, we mean the beautiful hand writing in which the calligrapher faithfully followed the rules set by Masters of Calligraphy.

But when we evoke the « Art of Arabic Calligraphy » we move into another field quite different. It means primarily entering into the realm of art with all its essential features of imaginative expression, individuality, creativeness, aesthetic standards and freedom in creation. Here we are confronted by the vision of an artist and not by the skill of a calligrapher.

 

In my native Morocco, I grew up speaking, listening, seeing and writing in Arabic.

Looking back, I realized that Calligraphic imagery was everywhere my gaze looked:

In books, on screens, in architecture, on shop fronts and even in mathematical formulas.

 

Everything was, letter, symbol and script. Now that I live in France for more than 20 years, where the eye is overwhelmed by the image and the painting, I try through my approach of Arabic calligraphy to establish a bridge between this two cultures.

A link between yesterday and now, between today and tomorrow.

A dialogue between the letter in its cultural and linguistic identity and the visual and universal language that it can engender as a painting.

 

A painting in which it is not necessary to read Arabic to understand the message, to hear the voice of the letters, to see their choreography. The letter communicates with the viewer through its shape and color, through its energy and its layout, through the space in which it moves.

I consider myself very much of a Nomad in respect to my artistic endeavors. I love turning back time, traveling through eras and passing from one vision to another, from calligraphy on paper to a painting of ‘letters’ on canvas. I am constantly looking for balance and harmonious visions. I navigate between color palettes that range from shades of ochre to basic Indian ink. My inspiration is intimately linked to what i read but I can easily move back and forth between the Arab-Andalusian poetry to the contemporary works of occidental poets. I like intermixing in the Arts ; exchanges between artistic forms are often enriching experiences, both creatively and on a humanistic level.

In my paintings, the viewer can read visually what he wants to spell out from my message,  … In this space which is the canvas, my Arabic letters are not limited to their linguistic and significant function and they are not simply an element of the words but they become totally “the signifiers” and “the meanings”

… so developing a kind of Visual poetry.

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Ahmad Mohammad Pour

Ahmad Mohammad Pour

Graduate of Iranian Society of Calligraphers 1986 Holder of first class honorary merit from the Council of Artists Assessment 2009. Certificate of Lecturing from the Iranian Society of Calligraphers 2011 Lecturer at the University of Lavisan and Soureh. Group exhibitions in Iran: Golestan Palace, Museum of Contemporary Arts, Sareban Gallery, Mojdeh Gallery, The house of...

Graduate of Iranian Society of Calligraphers 1986
Holder of first class honorary merit from the Council of Artists Assessment 2009.
Certificate of Lecturing from the Iranian Society of Calligraphers 2011
Lecturer at the University of Lavisan and Soureh.
Group exhibitions in Iran:
Golestan Palace, Museum of Contemporary Arts, Sareban Gallery, Mojdeh Gallery, The house of Iran Art Centre, Pardis Mellat Gallery, Biannuall Gazvin, Middle East Gallery, Saba Cultural Centre, Niavaran Cultural House, Seihoon Gallery, Artists Centre, Negar Gallery.

Overseas Exhibitions Group:
Nicolas Flamel France, National Museum of Rome, National Museum of Turkey, Dubai, London(Peace Exhibition), Canada, Sweden, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, UK, USA.

Individual Exhibitions held in Iran:
Seihoon Gallery: 1991, 1993, 2007
Valli Galery: 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015.
Behnam Dahashpoor Institute Gallery 2015.
Kama Gallery, 2021
Individual Exhibitions overseas:
Germany,France ,Poland,Turkey, Sudan, Dubai, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Kazakistan
Presented works in Malaysia,
Tehran Auction, modern and contemporary art of Iran, 2011, 2013, 2015.2022
Opera Gallery Auction 2012
Opera Gallery Art Dubai 2013
Perae Exhibition in London 2013
The Beauty of Calligraphy/pro Art Gallery 2012

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Ali Mlaih

Ali Mlaih

I am Ali Mlaih (Arabic: علي مليح )، a Bahrain based Calligrapher and Architect who hold a Bachelor of Architecture from The University of Bahrain and and I am the co-founder of Baskail Design which is a multi-disciplinary design studio. Most of the Arabic calligraphy art I’ve learnt has been through...

I am Ali Mlaih (Arabic: علي مليح )، a Bahrain based Calligrapher and Architect who hold a Bachelor of Architecture from The University of Bahrain and and I am the co-founder of Baskail Design which is a multi-disciplinary design studio.
Most of the Arabic calligraphy art I’ve learnt has been through self-guided learning, using books, videos and a large dose of trial-and-error.I also regularly benefits from the master calligrapher Salman Akbar. I traveled to Istanbul for the first time in 2013 and started correction lessons with the master Hassan Çelebi. Currently, I continues traveling regularly to Istanbul in order to keep learning and connections alive

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Ibrahim Al Hassoun

Ibrahim Al Hassoun

Born in Aleppo 1972 Lives in Turkey-Istanbul Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Department of Oil Painting, 1995, Damascus University Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts, Department of Oil Painting, 1996_Damascus University Personal exhibitions: Bagimsiz sanat gallery 2018, Istanbul _ Kalimat Gallery _ 2017 _ Istanbul Callery Jean (Faces Dreaming of a Homeland) _ 2016, Ankara Gallery Jean_2015Ankara Ishtar Gallery_2011Damascus_ Villa Antonina...

Born in Aleppo 1972
Lives in Turkey-Istanbul
Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Department of Oil Painting, 1995, Damascus University
Postgraduate Diploma in Fine Arts, Department of Oil Painting, 1996_Damascus University

Personal exhibitions:
Bagimsiz sanat gallery 2018, Istanbul
_ Kalimat Gallery _ 2017 _ Istanbul
Callery Jean (Faces Dreaming of a Homeland) _ 2016, Ankara
Gallery Jean_2015Ankara
Ishtar Gallery_2011Damascus_
Villa Antonina in Alicanti _2010, Spain
Kalimat Gallery – 2008, Aleppo
Fine Arts Syndicate Gallery_2007 Aleppo
Kalimat Gallery – 2006, Aleppo
Ishtar Gallery_2004 Damascus
Fine Arts Syndicate Gallery_1997 Aleppo

Group exhibitions:
_ Sharjah Calligraphy Forum _ Sharjah 2022
_ Syra Art Group, Cairo 2022
_ Art Show Granada _ Spain 2022
_ Syart Group _ Norway 2022
Art Fair Egypt _2022 _ Cairo
Group (Syart) 2021 – Norway
Group (Syart)_2020Norway
Syrian Art Exhibition_2019 Geneva
Kultur Werk Gallery_2017 Germany
Istanbul Triennial_2016 Istanbul
Buyuk Efes Sanat GunleriIzmir_2016
_Buyuk Efes Sanat GunleriIzmir__2015
_ Gallery No 2 _ Izmir _ 2014

Museums:
Marmara Museum_Syrian Formation with Kalimat House, Istanbul_2014
_ Museum of Modern Syrian Art _ Damascus

Awards:
Sharjah Forum Award for Calligraphy (Modern Direction) _ Sharjah 2022
Burda International Award _ Abu Dhabi _ 2017
Al-Burda International Award, Abu Dhabi _ 2016
_First Prize of the Teachers Syndicate in Syria_2006
Appreciation Award for Youth Exhibition _ 2003 Damascus

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Dr.Nasser Palangi

Dr.Nasser Palangi

Iranian /Australian Artist – lecturer Born 1957 Hamadan – Iran Lives & Teaches in Australia since 2001-2017 Lives & amp; Teaches in Oman since 2018 ARTIST’S STATEMENT: Since the age of twelve, I have been dedicated to the pursuit of visual art. As the details of my CV will show, my contribution to the field of...

Iranian /Australian Artist – lecturer
Born 1957 Hamadan – Iran
Lives & Teaches in Australia since 2001-2017
Lives & amp; Teaches in Oman since 2018
ARTIST’S STATEMENT:
Since the age of twelve, I have been dedicated to the pursuit of visual art. As the details of my CV
will show, my contribution to the field of art has spanned many years, many countries, and many
projects. My work encompasses a great variety of themes, reflecting my personal experiences of
times of war, and of peace. Using a range of artistic styles, I strive to engage the viewer in the
themes that are important to me, such as the importance of peace and harmony between people, and
the replacement of racism by attitudes of compassion. Apart from continuing as an exhibiting artist
in my own right, my role in encouraging and facilitating the artwork of others has always been
important to me. Not only art students, but also members of the general public, are included in my
efforts to present rewarding artistic opportunities to the various communities of which I am a
member.

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Kamal Abdelkader

Kamal Abdelkader

A contemporary Moroccan painter calligrapher born in EL JADIDA in 1970. He is a self-taught artist who has made Arabic calligraphy his great passion and concern since childhood. Modern Arabic calligraphy is an art that uses the plastic and visual qualities of the Arabic letters such as flexibility and elegance alongside color,...

A contemporary Moroccan painter calligrapher born in EL JADIDA in 1970.

He is a self-taught artist who has made Arabic calligraphy his great passion and concern since childhood.

Modern Arabic calligraphy is an art that uses the plastic and visual qualities of the Arabic letters such as flexibility and elegance alongside color, rhythm, contrast, light, shadow and gesture .. a word or even a part of a letter is sometimes enough to express a feeling or describe a fact…
It is another vision of Arabic calligraphy far from typography and whose pictorial expression prevails over readability.
2019 MOHAMMED 6 AWARD FOR DISTINCTIVE CALLIGRAPHIC PAINTING
Several collective and individual exhibitions in several cities of Morocco, the main ones being:
Individual exhibition “CALLIABSTRATION” at the French Institute of EL JADIDA IN MAY 2015.
Participation in the third edition of the national contemporary art fair in JANUARY 2015 in MARRAKECH.

Participation in the fourth edition of the national contemporary art fair in NOVEMBER 2015 in CASABLANCA.

Participation in the collective exhibition art in the service of tolerance at the media library of the HASSAN 2 mosque in CASABLANCA
Participation in the artistic event FADAE ENNASS IN AUGUST 2017 in Casablanca…
Collective EXHIBITION at the “ECLECTIQUE” easel gallery in January 2018.

Collective EXHIBITION “TRILOGY OF BALANCE BETWEEN STABILITY AND MOVEMENT” at the MOHAMMED 6 foundation for the promotion of social works in RABAT. in MARCH 2018.

Individual EXHIBITION CALLIABSTRACTION 2 from October 4 to 17, 2018 at gallery 104
in ELJADIDA.

Individual EXHIBITION LETTRES DE LUMIERE at the OCP EL JADIDA cultural complex
JULY 2019.

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Amir H. Tehrani

Amir H. Tehrani

An Iranian-American influential (abstract expressionist) painter, was born in 1974, educated in Switzerland and UK. He began his career as a businessman of raw materials commodities after completing his Bachelor of Art in International Business Administration. However, in his heart he was always passionate about art. Tehrani’s artistic journey started at an...

An Iranian-American influential (abstract expressionist) painter, was born in 1974, educated in Switzerland and UK.

He began his career as a businessman of raw materials commodities after completing his Bachelor of Art in International Business Administration. However, in his heart he was always passionate about art.

Tehrani’s artistic journey started at an early age. It was then that he had developed a love and passion for painting, collecting works of various artists and participating in auctions.

He began to paint postcards on large canvasses and painting became his pastime. The process was comforting, providing a momentary distraction from everyday stresses of the world and an opportunity to focus on something entirely free from judgement.

Tehrani’s painting career started years later, he has established his distinctive, lyrical (abstract) art and soon after, he was recognized by his vast network of art lovers and art collectors around the globe. For Tehrani creating art is emotionally powerful experience giving him the freedom to express himself however he chooses and to experiment with different mediums and materials based on his own needs and desires. His each piece of art manifests itself, unique aspects of the his worldview, values, and emotions all become evident in his painting. He uses harmony and contrast, playing with colors and creating decorative artworks and 3-D calligraphy and merge the abstract with hidden meaning, tapping on emotion and illusion of observers’ mind while passing feeling of clarity, peace and understanding.

His artworks can today be found in private collections in California-USA, London-UK, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Nigeria-Africa and Hong Kong .

His works are exhibited in various prominent galleries.

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DR.MOHAMMAD GHANOUM

DR.MOHAMMAD GHANOUM

Born in Damascus 1949 Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Interior Design, University of Damascus, with distinction, 1976 PhD in Art Sciences, Tashkent 1992Lecturer at Damascus University, Faculty of Fine Arts and Faculty of Architecture A faculty member at the International University of Technology and Technology Former Director of Education, the Ministry of...

Born in Damascus 1949 Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts, Interior Design, University of Damascus, with distinction, 1976 PhD in Art Sciences, Tashkent 1992Lecturer at Damascus University, Faculty of Fine Arts and Faculty of Architecture
A faculty member at the International University of Technology and Technology

Former Director of Education, the Ministry of Education, and a member of the Executive Office of Fine Arts, formerly Jamila   He held 73 private art exhibitions from 1979 to 2022 in a number of cities around the world, Damascus, Beirut, Amman, Jeddah, Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Istanbul, Warsaw, Paris, Rome, London, Madrid, Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand, Sao Paulo, Berlin, Heidelberg, Mannheim.

Colin Boone Higgin and others

He participated in a large number of joint exhibitions, international art banquets and festivals

Participated in and participated in a number of international arbitration committees

He won a large number of Arab and international awards, the latest of which was the State Appreciation Award in Arts in 2022 in Syria

His works are in private collections around the world and in museums, including the National Museum and Waad Daman Ministries

Technical and official studies and some technical books on Arabic calligraphy

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ZAKARIA RAMHANI

ZAKARIA RAMHANI

Visual Artist Born in Tangier ( Morrocco1983) Lives and works between Montreal and Tangier. SOLO EXHIBITIONS : ( Selection ) 2018– Double, Atelier 21 Gallery. 2016- “Recent Works“, Tabari Artspace Gallery. Dubai, UAE. 2014 – « Connotation » Artspace Dubai Gallery. Dubai, UAE. 2013 – « May Allah Forgive Me » ,Julie Meneret Contemporary Art, New York...

Visual Artist

Born in Tangier ( Morrocco1983)

Lives and works between Montreal and Tangier.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS : ( Selection )

2018– Double, Atelier 21 Gallery.

2016- “Recent Works“, Tabari Artspace Gallery. Dubai, UAE.

2014 – « Connotation » Artspace Dubai Gallery. Dubai, UAE.

2013 – « May Allah Forgive Me » ,Julie Meneret Contemporary Art, New York (USA) 2012 – « My Face is a Word », Atelier 21, Casablanca (Morocco)

2010 – Zoom Art Fair, Miami (USA)

  ” Faces of Your Other ” Atelier 21, Casablanca (Morocco

Recent Works” Artspace Dubai (UAE)

2008 – ” Faces of Your Other ” , Artspace Dubai (UAE)

2006 – ” Le temps de la mort “, Galerie de la Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris. ( France ) “Solitude collective” , Galerie CROUS des Beaux Arts, Paris (France)

GROUP EXHIBITIONS : ( Selection )

2017 – MCAAL Marrakech.

2016 – Art Central Hong-Kong Art Fair.

2014 – Art Toronto art fair. Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Toronto.

Memory, Place, Desire » Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery, Haverford College, Haverford. USA, (curated by Carole Solomone).

Artspace Dubai (UAE). Art 14 London Art Fair, London (UK)

2013 -25 Years of Arabic Creativity Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris. France.

-25 Years of Arabic Creativity National Museum of Barhain. Manama, Bahrain.

-25 Years of Arabic Creativity , Emirate Palace, Abu Dhabi (UAE).-

-Art 13 Art Fair, London (UK) Artspace Dubai (UAE) – Atelier 21, Casablanca (Morocco)

2012 – Barbican Centre (Curator: Vincenzo Sanfo ) , London (UK) –

-Art Dubai, Contemporary Art Fair, (UAE) 2011 – Marrakech Art Fair (Morocco) – Art Dubai (UAE)

2010 – Marrakech Art Fair (Morocco) – Art Dubai (UAE)

2009 – Made in Arnhem, International Festival of the Arts, Arnhem (Netherlands) On the Ground, Underground, Intramoenia ExtrArt (Curated by Achille Bonito Oliva ), Barletta (Italy) – Art Dubai (UAE)

2008 – the 11th Cairo Biennale (Egypt)

– Dak’Art, 8 th Biennale of Contemporary African Art, Dakar (Senegal)

– Art Dubai (UAE) – Word into Art : Artists of the Modern Middle East (Curated by Venetia Porter), British Museum at DIFC Dubai (UAE)

 

RESIDENCIES

2016 -Maison d’art contemporain d’Assillah. Assillah.Maroc

2013 – Reis Studios, New York (USA) .

2008 – Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris (France)

2006 – Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris (France)

GRANTS : – French Embassy in Morocco, Exchange Program with the Moroccan Cultural Ministry

 

COLLECTIONS : ( Selection )

  • –  MACAAL , Morocco.
  • –  Vanhaerents Art Collection (Belgium)
  • –  Alain-Dominique Perrin Collection, Paris (France)
  • –  Barjeel Foundation Collection, Sharjah (UAE)
  • –  Jean-Paul Blachère Collection (France)
  • –  Bank Al-Maghreb Museum (Morocco)
  • –  Banque Populaire Collection (Morocco)
  • – Groupe Alliance
  • – Royal Mansour , Marrakech
  • – Saeb Eigner. London.
  • –  Royal Family Collection (Morocco)

SELECTED PRESS

  • –  Al-Jazeera America, Interview, November 6th 2014.
  • –  Wall Street International, “Summer 2013 Group Exhibition” July 17th 2013.
  • –  New York Times,“ Creating Art as Witness to Arab Spring” by Rana F. Sweis, April 4th 2012.
  • –  “e Art Newspaper, “ Art Dubai Keeps Strong Regional Identity ” by Georgina Adam, March 22nd 2012.
  • –  New York Times,“ Creating a Place for Contemporary Art” by Vinita Bharadwaj, March 21st 2012.
  • –  BBC News, “ Arab Spring inspires regional artists” by Sylvia Smith April 22 nd 2011
  • –  CNN, “ Artists re#ect Egypt’s revolutionary spirit ” by Neil Curry, April 11 th 2011
  • –  BLOUIN ArtInfo, “ Between an Artistic Oasis and a Mirage: Impressions of Art Dubai 2011 ” by Ben Davis, March 22 nd 2011
  • –  Le Parisien, “ Dubai: deux tableaux sur le printemps arabe retirés de la Foire d’art contemporain” March 22 nd 2011.

 

 

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Khalil Abdulwahid

Khalil Abdulwahid

Born in the UAE, Khalil’s artistic career began when he came under the mentorship of the late Emirati artist Hassan Sharif. He has been exhibited in group shows regionally and internationally including FotoFest International ‘View From Inside’, USA/Abu Dhabi Festival (2014–15); and ‘Sharjah: Art from the Emirates’, National Museum of...

Born in the UAE, Khalil’s artistic career began when he came under the mentorship of the late Emirati artist Hassan Sharif. He has been exhibited in group shows regionally and internationally including FotoFest International ‘View From Inside’, USA/Abu Dhabi Festival (2014–15); and ‘Sharjah: Art from the Emirates’, National Museum of Denmark (2010); as well as many of the annual exhibitions by the Emirates Fine Arts Society. In 2016, Abdul Wahid participated in ‘Portrait of a Nation’, one of the largest exhibitions of UAE contemporary art to date at the Abu Dhabi Festival. His work is part of The ADMAF Art Collection and is featured in the ADMAF publication ‘The Art of the Emirates’. Khalil took on teaching roles in the atelier before assuming his current position as Visual Arts Manager at Dubai Culture. This role facilitates his involvement in diverse projects to cultivate the UAE’s artistic community, from grassroots initiatives through to institutional efforts.

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Jalal Luqman

Jalal Luqman

JALAL LUQMAN Is an Emirati mixed media Artist, Sculptor, Curator and Author, an active personality in the UAE’s art scene for more than three decades. Jalal Luqman is an Abu Dhabi based Artist, who has established himself as a significant Artist in the UAE and internationally, with exhibitions in New York,...

JALAL LUQMAN Is an Emirati mixed media Artist, Sculptor, Curator and Author, an active personality in the UAE’s art scene for more than three decades.

Jalal Luqman is an Abu Dhabi based Artist, who has established himself as a significant Artist in the UAE and internationally, with exhibitions in New York, Kuwait, Tokyo, Egypt, Morocco, the Czech Republic, Washington DC, Beijing and the UK.

In 1996 Jalal introduced digital art to the UAE, making him the first to use Digital art not only in the UAE, but in the entire GCC region.

From there he swiftly gained fame as a mixed media Artist, utilizing his understanding of traditional media in his work with digital paint.

His pioneering spirit gained him many firsts, such as the UAE’s digital Artist, The first freelance graphic designer, and first contracted Emirati website designer for major Government Agencies and large multinational corporations.

Jalal’s work breaks many limits in both meaning and material, combining computer software with metal, wood and other common materials to create works of art that transcend the limitations of the frame to engage and provoke the viewer.

With a Master’s Degree in Cultural and Creative Industries (MCCI), Jalal’s contribution to the Emirati art scene has expanded from only producing art to becoming an advocate for the development of other Artists in the UAE, setting

up initiatives to promote art in the UAE.

With his significant knowledge and his extensive network in the Emirati Art Scene, many have relied on Jalal as an Advisor and Consultant on many projects and activities.

Jalal Luqman has been a member of numerous UAE delegations to many international art events as well as a public speaker for the promotion and advancement of art and Artists in the UAE, he has conducted many seminars and workshops in schools, colleges and universities nationally an internationally.

List of client list includes; ADNOC, Samsung, HP, Abu Dhabi Media, Silicon Graphics, Dubai Ladies Club, The Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF), Al Fahim Group, Kanoo Group, Ajman Tourism, Flash Events, The Royal Family, Abu Dhabi Dept of Culture and Tourism (DCT), Dubai Design District (D3), Dubai Culture, Miral, Special Olympics, Tameer, Flash Entertainment, Mubadala.

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SumayyaH Al Suwaidi

SumayyaH Al Suwaidi

Sumayyah Al Suwaidi is a multiple award winner Emirati artist based in Abu Dhabi. Her passion for digital art started in 1996 and, in 2001, she launched her first collection inspired by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. She begins each piece with a sketch, or a simple photograph combining...

Sumayyah Al Suwaidi is a multiple award winner Emirati artist based in Abu Dhabi.

Her passion for digital art started in 1996 and, in 2001, she launched her first collection inspired by the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

She begins each piece with a sketch, or a simple photograph combining textures, colors, contrasts that make her creations unique and invaluable.

Her first exhibition was in 2003 in Abu Dhabi, showcasing amongst many of the UAE’s pioneer artists.

Shortly after, she began to exhibit her work in various galleries all over the UAE, London, USA, China, France, Germany, Switzerland, Morocco and Kuwait.

Her work was auctioned by Christie’s in 2012 part of the Modern and Contemporary Arab, Iranian and Turkish Art Part II and exhibited at Sotheby’s Galleries in London part of Three Generations’ exhibition 2013.

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Narjes Noureddine

Narjes Noureddine

Narjes graduated with honor from College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, Zayed University with BFA in Interior Design. She is a professional Arabic calligraphy artist practicing this art since 2000. She’s internationally recognized since 2004 with her first int’l award from IRCICA – Istanbul, followed by another from Algeria’s Int’l...

Narjes graduated with honor from College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, Zayed University with BFA in Interior Design. She is a professional Arabic calligraphy artist practicing this art since 2000. She’s internationally recognized since 2004 with her first int’l award from IRCICA – Istanbul, followed by another from Algeria’s Int’l Cultural Festival – Tlemcen, Algeria, 2011.

Narjes delivers her artworks in different forms ranging from classical calligraphy plates, to modern paintings, murals and sculptures. She’s implemented the permanent calligraphy murals “Diwan Osha” in the Women’s Museum, the façade artwork of the GDRFA, dozens of other artworks and murals for Emaar’s Boulevard Plaza Towers, Arady’s Central Park Towers in DIFC, RAK Investment Authority, a chandelier “The Shining Letters” at Sharjah Museum and many other high-end projects. In addition, she created tens of logos, design for fragrance bottles with int’l luxurious brands, and has introduced Sheikh Zayed poem “How Beautiful This World Is” in an opera performance influenced by her Arabic Calligraphy art in collaboration with the Royal Opera House – London. Narjes held many open calligraphy workshops for public in different events. She participated in many local and international exhibitions since 2001, and has lately curated other exhibitions

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Alya AL Sanad

Alya AL Sanad

Alya Al Sanad, a passionate Visual Media Artist hailing from Dubai. In her artistic journey, she firmly believes that art transcends boundaries and possesses diverse identities. her love for photography and videography began in 2004, where she discovered a world that resonated with her innermost thoughts and emotions. Over the years, she...

Alya Al Sanad, a passionate Visual Media Artist hailing from Dubai. In her artistic journey, she firmly believes that art transcends boundaries and possesses diverse identities.

her love for photography and videography began in 2004, where she discovered a world that resonated with her innermost thoughts and emotions.

Over the years, she has had the privilege to showcase her artwork in prestigious venues such as Tashkeel and Abudhabi Art in Dubai, Emarati Expressions in Abudhabi, Suhoor Lounge and Jam Jar in Dubai, as well as participating in the Youth Art Exhibition in Berlin. In 2011, she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication, and it was during that same year that she embarked on her journey of exploring free-style Arabic calligraphy. she has continuously honed her skills through workshops and relentless practice, constantly challenging herself.

her artistic journey continues to unfold, as she strives to break boundaries, create meaningful connections, and bring the beauty of art to the world.

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Mahmood Alabadi

Mahmood Alabadi

An Emirati artist, born in 1986 He acquired his skills in the UAE, his journey extending since he was 18 years old with visual arts with Arabic calligraphy, plastic art and sculpture and design. In his works, he presents a mixture of artistic schools to highlight the beauty hidden in calligraphy Al-Arabi, as he...

An Emirati artist, born in 1986
He acquired his skills in the UAE, his journey extending
since he was 18 years old with visual arts with Arabic calligraphy, plastic art and sculpture and design.
In his works, he presents a mixture of artistic schools to highlight the beauty hidden in calligraphy
Al-Arabi, as he tries in all his works to embody the culture and heritage of the UAE
The United Arab Emirates is mixed with the modernity that the country has reached at the time
Today, he presented distinguished works for government and private institutions and Liebers hotels
The aspect of development and heritage as a distinctive identity of the United Arab Emirates.
His business is acquired by prominent personalities and prestigious institutions in the UAE

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Alia Bent Sultan

Alia Bent Sultan

Alia Sultan Aljoker, is a female artist that was born in Deira, the heart of old Dubai. Her fond of photos and cameras paved the way for her to join the art field and become a photographer. On a professional level, Alia is currently a Director of Family Development in Ministery of...

Alia Sultan Aljoker, is a female artist that was born in Deira, the heart of old Dubai.

Her fond of photos and cameras paved the way for her to join the art field and become a photographer.

On a professional level, Alia is currently a Director of Family Development in Ministery of Community Development.

Her creativeness reflected well on her hobby too, photography, whereas most of her photos can be seen as an art piece rather than a picture.

To people, a photo is just a reflection of a moment, but to Alia,

a photograph tells a story not just a moment.

Alia uses photography as a medium to reflect on social issues within her society.

Shedding light on the ongoing (Social issues) Therefore, Alia is continuously sharing with the world her stories through her photography, not to capture a moment, but to share a story that only the eye can read as through a photograph, a thousand words are achieved.

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Ahmed Al Mahri

Ahmed Al Mahri

He grew up in an art-loving family and showed a passion for drawing from an early age. Having always leant towards exotic designs, he started to blend them with Arab and Asian culture. Arabic calligraphy has always been an important element in the works of the Emirati, who has left...

He grew up in an art-loving family and showed a passion for drawing from an early age. Having always leant towards exotic designs, he started to blend them with Arab and Asian culture. Arabic calligraphy has always been an important element in the works of the Emirati, who has left his signature on the main gate of Al Ain Club and also exhibited his works in Sikka Arts and Design Festival and Al Fahidi Historical District.

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Sandra Boutros

Sandra Boutros

Sandra Boutros is a Syrian artist born in Damascus, Syria in 1996. She graduated in 2019 from the Architecture school in the America University in Dubai, and practiced architecture for several years. She believed that design is a creative formula that is not limited to one discipline. She started her art career in 2021. Sandra’s art...

Sandra Boutros is a Syrian artist born in Damascus,
Syria in 1996. She graduated in 2019 from the
Architecture school in the America University in Dubai,
and practiced architecture for several years. She
believed that design is a creative formula that is not
limited to one discipline. She started her art career in
2021. Sandra’s art works are inspired from the Arabic
culture, places, architecture and people. The form of
each artwork is a combination between the fluidity
of the Arabic letters and the architectural forms and
gestures.

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Sameh Ismail

Sameh Ismail

Graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Helwan University, 1997 He currently works as curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Helwan Ismail started his professional history in 2006 He based his artistic project on abstractions, inspired by Islamic arts and Arabic calligraphy He works as a photographer, illustrator, and logo designer His most...

Graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Helwan University, 1997
He currently works as curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Helwan

Ismail started his professional history in 2006
He based his artistic project on abstractions, inspired by Islamic arts and Arabic calligraphy
He works as a photographer, illustrator, and logo designer
His most important achievements in this field is designing the official logo of (Egypt)

Ismail held 9 personal exhibitions inside and outside Egypt
And more than 40 group participation

The most important international participations

Sharjah Biennial of Arabic Calligraphy 2012/2016
Artem Miami Beach with Ubuntu Gallery 2012
(Nun and Qalam) Exhibition of Contemporary Islamic Calligraphy.. Malaysia Museum of Art and Antiquities.. Kuala Lumpur 2013
Al-Hurufiyya Forum.. Katara Foundation.. Qatar.. 2015
Exhibition with the artist Ibrahim El-Desouki at the Arab House.. Madrid 2015
Malukut Exhibition for Handicrafts… Jal Wardiri… Dubai 2016
The Journey of Writing and Calligraphy Exhibition… Second Edition.. Riyadh. Al-Madina organized by the Saudi Ministry of Culture 2023

Museum collections
Museum of Modern Art.. c. M. A
A private collection of 15 paintings at the Malaysia Archaeological Museum. Kuala Lumpur 2013
New collection of 4 works at the Michael Museum of Art and Antiquities.. 2023
Jordan National Museum 2008*
Sharjah Museum of Arts and Antiquities 2016*
Collections of the Saudi Ministry of Culture 2023
He currently works as curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Egypt

Sharjah Biennial of Arabic Calligraphy 2012/2016

The Journey of Writing and Calligraphy Exhibition… Second Edition.. Riyadh. Al-Madina organized by the Saudi Ministry ofSameh Ismail

A private collection of 15 paintings at the Malaysia Archaeological Museum. Kuala Lumpur 2013
*New collection of 4 works at the Michael Museum of Art and Antiquities.. 2023
Jordan National Museum 2008
Sharjah Museum of Arts and Antiquities 2016
Collections of the Saudi Ministry of Culture 2023
A private collection of 15 paintings at the Malaysia Archaeological Museum. Kuala Lumpur 2013

Jordan National Museum 2008
Sharjah Museum of Arts and Antiquities 2016

Collections of the Saudi Ministry of Culture 2023

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Kameel Hawa

Kameel Hawa

Kameel Hawa draws, paints, sculpts and designs. He projects words into art pieces, shaping typographic sculptures out of Arabic and Phoenician alphabets. He dabbles with photography, creates books and magazines and experiments with screen prints and other art forms. An autodidactic artist, he is today best known for his sculptures:...

Kameel Hawa draws, paints, sculpts and designs. He projects words into art pieces, shaping typographic sculptures out of Arabic and Phoenician alphabets. He dabbles with photography, creates books and magazines and experiments with screen prints and other art forms. An autodidactic artist, he is today best known for his sculptures: the typographic monument of Beirut, the tribute to his alma mater AUB, and the eight interpretations of the word Fann (Arabic for Art) which have drawn both popular and particular acclaim.

An accomplished designer, Kameel founded AlMohtaraf some three decades ago, a regional graphic design house which he still inspires and drives to date. AlMohtaraf is famous for combining refined aesthetics with modern design solutions, unfailingly maintaining a profound continuity with indigenous needs and values.

Kameel has had several solo exhibits in Beirut, Cairo and Kuwait. He has participated for years in the Beirut Art Fair and the Beirut Art Week.

Recent works of Kameel include “Random”, his geometric sculpture in front of the new UCA building on Jisr el Basha, and his sculptural interpretation of the Phoenician alphabet, covered on a Reuters interview aired last month on several Lebanese and international channels.

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Salwa Zeidan

Salwa Zeidan

SPECIAL EVENT: 2009 – 2010 Abu Dhabi International Sculpture Symposium 2010, Abu Dhabi UAE SOLO EXHIBITIONS 2009 “In Light”, Salwa Zeidan Gallery, Abu Dhabi, UAE 2007 Fairmont Gallery, Dallas, USA 2006 Sultan Gallery, Kuwait City, Kuwait Keramich Atelier, Utrecht, Holland 2004 Ajial Art Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon Loft 44, Private Space, Beirut, Lebanon 2003 Art METZ, Metz, France Art Istanbul, Mac...

SPECIAL EVENT:
2009 – 2010 Abu Dhabi International Sculpture Symposium 2010, Abu Dhabi UAE
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2009 “In Light”, Salwa Zeidan Gallery, Abu Dhabi, UAE
2007 Fairmont Gallery, Dallas, USA
2006 Sultan Gallery, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Keramich Atelier, Utrecht, Holland
2004 Ajial Art Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon
Loft 44, Private Space, Beirut, Lebanon
2003 Art METZ, Metz, France
Art Istanbul, Mac 2000, Istanbul, Turkey
Mac 2000 Paris, France
2002 Gallery Pierre-Michel Paris, France
Art Istanbul, Mac 2000 Istanbul, Turkey
“Art for Peace” at Fairmont Hotel Dubai, U.A.E
2001 & 2000 Mac 2000 Paris, France
2000 Gallery Zabbeni, Vevey, Switzerland
“Culture for Peace”, Alchemy Gallery, London, U.K
1999 Fransabank, Private Space, Beirut, Lebanon
Gallery Zabbeni, Vevey, Switzerland
1997 Gallery, Epreuve d’Artiste, Beirut, Lebanon
1995 Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E
Gallery Zabbeni, Vevey, Switzerland
1994 Cassia & Zeidan Art Gallery, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E
1990 ARTCHOICE Gallery, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E
GROUP EXHIBITIONs
2021 “REVISIT-REDISCOVER”, Salwa Zeidan Gallery, Abu Dhabi, UAE
2020 “Break Art From Middle East”, Salwa Zeidan Gallery, Abu Dhabi, UAE
2019 “Transpose”, Salwa Zeidan Gallery, Abu Dhabi, UAE
2018 Summer Fresh, Salwa Zeidan Gallery, Abu Dhabi, UAE

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Raouf Refai

Raouf Refai

Lebanese-born Rouf Rifai is one of the most important figurative\abstract painters in the middle east today. Over the course of more than thirty years, he has produced a vibrant, compelling and expressive body of work in the range of media that is widely collected and internationally...

Lebanese-born Rouf Rifai is one of the most important figurative\abstract painters in the middle east today.

Over the course of more than thirty years, he has produced a vibrant, compelling and expressive body of work in the range of media that is widely collected and internationally exhibited.

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Alfred Mousa

Alfred Mousa

Alfred Antoine Moussa is a photography artist, lecturer, coach, and advisor, who was born in Batroun, North Lebanon, in 1973. Alfred is currently working as a photography coordinator at the Library’s Digitization Center of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, (USEK), as a board member, consultant, and photography manager at the...

Alfred Antoine Moussa is a photography artist, lecturer, coach, and advisor, who was born in Batroun, North Lebanon, in 1973.

Alfred is currently working as a photography coordinator at the Library’s Digitization Center of the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, (USEK), as a board member, consultant, and photography manager at the reprography center at NABU Museum, El Heri Batroun North Lebanon, and as a collector of archives, manuscripts, private collections, and rare materials.

Art and perfection have been his passion since early childhood. He believes in continuous learning. He participates annually in the Photokina International Photography Fair in Cologne, Germany, and belongs to several international organizations for photography and digitization.

Being fond of photography from the very beginning of his life path, he has captured the nature, architecture, and people of 15 countries and 120 cities in 5 continents.

Alfred has spent great effort and time to organize art exhibitions in Lebanon (Byblos Festival, NABU Museum, USEK University, etc.), Switzerland, France, United States of America, Germany, Mexico, United Arab Emirates (Expo 2020) and Qatar.

His unique and artistic photographs taken during his long journey has enabled him different international awards; from the many we mention the Photo Laureates Award, American Art Festival Award, Georgetown University Award, Word Press Photo Award.

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Michel Abboud

Michel Abboud

Michel Abboud is an artist and an architect based in New York, founder of SOMA and represented by Opera Gallery worldwide. Having earned a Masters in Advanced Architectural Design from the University of Columbia in New York in 2004, Michel Abboud immediately kicked off his career by founding the award-winning architectural...

Michel Abboud is an artist and an architect based in New York, founder of SOMA and represented by Opera Gallery worldwide.

Having earned a Masters in Advanced Architectural Design from the University of Columbia in New York in 2004, Michel Abboud immediately kicked off his career by founding the award-winning architectural practice SOMA in New York. His designs have attracted critical acclaim for their boundary-pushing nature. Abboud has won the World Architecture Award in 2019, the James Beard award in 2015, and is a two-time winner of the Architizer A+ award, in 2016 and 2017, to name a few.

Having built a reputation for provocative projects, Michel’s defiant no compromise stance, in terms of design, has gained him respect among a loyal client base and fellow design professionals. His work is rising around the world today with remarkable offerings of projects that underscore his firm’s cutting edge appeal. In 2010, his design for Park 51 in New York further catapulted him into prominence, with one journalist dubbing him ‘the most controversial architect the US has known.’ The project was ultimately shelved in favor of 45 Park Place, a 665-foot condominium tower also designed by Abboud, making him one of the youngest architects to have achieved the design and execution of a skyscraper in New York.

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Sami Alkour

Sami Alkour

he is a Syrian visual artist living in Dubai, UAE. He has a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from Damascus University. He was appointed as a lecturer in the same university from 2014 till 2018. Sami has participated in many exhibitions, solo and collective, between Syria, Lebanon, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Japan, Spain and the...

he is a Syrian visual artist

living in Dubai, UAE.

He has a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from Damascus University.

He was appointed as a lecturer in the same university from 2014 till 2018.

Sami has participated in many exhibitions, solo and collective, between Syria, Lebanon, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Japan, Spain and the USA Since 2012 till present.

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Alaa Albaba

Alaa Albaba

he was born in 1984 in Jerusalem, is a distinguished Visual Community Artist and a Teaching Artist. In 2015, he pursued a Bachelor of Arts at the International Academy of Art Palestine, a pursuit he undertook from 2010 to 2015 through a scholarship awarded by Kio University in Norway. Additionally, he honed his...

he was born in 1984 in Jerusalem, is a distinguished Visual Community Artist and a Teaching Artist.

In 2015, he pursued a Bachelor of Arts at the International Academy of Art Palestine, a pursuit he

undertook from 2010 to 2015 through a scholarship awarded by Kio University in Norway.

Additionally, he honed his skills at the Visual Arts Forum in Ramallah from 2008 to 2010. In 2011 Albaba

founded the ON THE WALL Studio “Almarsam” in the Al Amari Refugee Camp.

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Afia Al Nawasra

Afia Al Nawasra

she is a Palestinian artist who was born in Jenin City in 1997, Lives between Jenin and Ramallah. She completed her fine arts studies at Al Najah University in 2019 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in contemporary art at Dar Al Kalima University in Betlehem. Her studies have allowed her to collaborate in...

she is a Palestinian artist who was born in Jenin City in 1997, Lives

between Jenin and Ramallah.

She completed her fine arts studies at Al Najah University in 2019 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in contemporary

art at Dar Al Kalima University in Betlehem.

Her studies have allowed her to

collaborate in the cultural and artistic fields and to begin working as an independent artist since 2019

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Mohammad Alqassab

Mohammad Alqassab

Established the communication project at the Emirates Fine Arts Society. It was widely showcased both within and outside the country, including individual and group contributions. Among his notable exhibitions is the solo exhibition “Elegies,” held at the Artist’s House in Sharjah in 2004. He also participated in the annual exhibitions...

Established the communication project at the Emirates Fine Arts Society. It was widely showcased both within and outside the country, including individual and group contributions. Among his notable exhibitions is the solo exhibition “Elegies,” held at the Artist’s House in Sharjah in 2004. He also participated in the annual exhibitions of the Emirates Fine Arts Society from 1982 to 2014, as well as the Arab Artists Exhibition in Kuwait in 1983.

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Shadi Abousada

Shadi Abousada

He was born in Sweida City, Syria in 1983. He is a multi-medium artist, painter, installation and video artist, who deals with reality and intimate events with symbolic still-life either sarcastically or mysteriously to trigger the viewer’s attention and curiosity. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts of Damascus University...

He was born in Sweida City, Syria in 1983. He is a multi-medium artist, painter, installation and video artist, who deals with reality and intimate events with symbolic still-life either sarcastically or mysteriously to trigger the viewer’s attention and curiosity.

He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts of Damascus University with a bachelor degree in Oil Painting in 2008.

Since 2006, Shadi Abousada’s works were shown in many exhibitions in Damascus, Beirut, Netherlands, Dubai, Qatar, Paris, London and Switzerland.

His talent was acknowledged by international media and critics.

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Mohammad Reza Shafieie

Mohammad Reza Shafieie

Born in 1977 in Esfahan, Iran. Art painting and calligrapher. Lecturer in art university. He awarded Master degree from the calligraphers’ society. Executive Director in school of visual arts Mehrehonar. Judge of several calligraphy and painting festivals Have many ranking at competition of calligrapher calligraphypainting painting in country and Winner of Al burda UAE Modern Calligraphy...

Born in 1977 in Esfahan, Iran.
Art painting and calligrapher.
Lecturer in art university.
He awarded Master degree from the calligraphers’ society.
Executive Director in school of visual arts Mehrehonar.
Judge of several calligraphy and painting festivals
Have many ranking at competition of calligrapher calligraphypainting painting in country and Winner of Al burda UAE Modern Calligraphy Festival2023. and photograf and landartist.
Judge of several calligraphy and painting festivals
Holding more than 15 solo exhibition Holding the local and international exhibition:
Museum of
Contemporary Art.

Workshop at Art University, Algazire city Algeria and Dakar Senegal Italy (parma),and selected artist in residency in Napole Italy.

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