Calligraphy by Hassan Massoudy

As part of Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial 2014, a special place has been given to well known calligrapher Hassan Massoudy, who has been honoured for his contributions in calligraphy field. The exhibition is on view at the Ceramics House at the Calligraphy Square in Sharjah (UAE) until June 6, 2014.

Hassan Massoudy was born in 1944 in Najef, South of Iraq. He fulfilled his passion for art by making drawings and calligraphies. In 1961 he left for Baghdad and started working as an apprentice for various calligraphers. He left Iraq for France in 1969 where he studied art at the 'Ecole des Beaux-Arts' of Paris. Allthough he was trained in figural art, over the years, calligraphy became his form of expression.

The calligraphy explorations, filled with bright colour palette and expressive gesture, have led Massoudy into combining calligraphy with dance and music which became an inspiration for many young light calligraphers around the globe.

Hassan Massoudy's calligraphy are a subtle mix of present and past, oriental and occidental art, tradition and modernity. He perpetuates tradition while braking from it. The lines of his drawing became simplified over the years. In his calligraphic compositions Massoudy includes the words and phrases from poets and writers from all over the world or sometimes simply from popular wisdom. By looking at his calligraphies one can feel the movement of the lines, their lightness, their transparency, the balance between black, white, emptiness and fullness, the concrete and the abstract. From his training as a calligrapher in Iraq, Hassan Massoudy has kept the noble spirit of the craftsman who creates or invents his own tools and prepares his own inks.

Highlights from the Exhibition

The Ceramics House at Calligraphy Square in Sharjah / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Installation view / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Hassan Massoudy / Courtesy of the Artist

Hassan Massoudy / Courtesy of the Artist

Hassan Massoudy / Courtesy of the Artist

Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial is organized by the Directorate of Arts in the Department of Culture and Information, Government of Sharjah, UAE and this year is held as part of the celebrations of naming Sharjah as the Islamic Capital of Culture for 2014. The Biennial will run until June 2, 2014.