Letters Seeking Beauty

Calligraphy, ornamentation, paintings and ebru in four major exhibitions, featuring 107 artworks

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Sharjah, the Cultural Affairs Department at the Sharjah Department of Culture has organized the 21st edition of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival (SIAF).

As part of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival (SIAF) The Calligraphers' Studios present four exhibitions featuring 107 artworks by renowned artists: Magdi Khodir, Zeyad Al Muhamdis, Saman Kaka, Mustafa Al Obaidy and Bedia Ak.

The exhibitions were inaugurated by His Excellency Abdullah Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Department of Culture and Information; in the presence of Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Farah Qassim Mohammed, Islamic Arts Festival Executive, the respected guests, the artists, and the media.

Ebru Art and Islamic Bindings

The visitors can see 7 artworks including ebru, miniature and book binding by Turkish artist Bedia Ak at the exhibition titled 'Ebru Art and Islamic Bindings'. She presents the use of ebru, acid-free papers and natural pigments, in the restoration of centuries-old books and calligraphic plates. All ebru papers are produced using traditional materials and techniques.

Bedia Ak was born in Mersin Turkey in 1978. She studied traditional illumination for 4 years with Mustafa Celebi. She has been an apprentice of Turkish Ebru master Alparslan. In 2013 and 2014, the Turkish Ministry of Culture awarded her with the Big Award of Culture and Art.

Exhibition, Installation view / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Bedia Ak explains her works to His Excellency Abdullah Al Owais, Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, and the guests / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Spiritualities of Great History

Magdi Khodir from Egypt features 35 painting in the exhibition 'Spiritualities of Great History'. Using a pencil and oil paints, Khodir draws and paints landmark scenes from Mecca, Madinah, Jeddah, Dubai and Cairo (old Fatimid Cairo). Khodir's paintings are realistic with many details, capturing the spirit of the past and the masses of Muslims in that period.

Magdi Khodir with His Excellency Abdullah Al Owais and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Magdi Khodir, Madina, coloured pencils, 2018 / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Magdi Khodir, Mekka, coloured pencils, 2018 / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Installation view of the exhibited works / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Another Installation view of the exhibited works / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Aesthetics of the Letter

A joint exhibition 'Aesthetics of the Letter' by the master calligrapher Zeyad Al Muhandis and his student Saman Kaka from Iraq present 45 calligraphic panels. They both exhibited their work extensively and won several important awards including the award at the Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial.

Zeyad Al Muhandis touring the exhibition with His Excellency Abdullah Al Owais and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Innovative Arabic Ornaments

Mustafa Al Obaidy from Iraq presents 20 artworks in his exhibition titled 'Innovative Arabic Ornaments'. His artistic preoccupation is based on Islamic ornaments in connection to the Arab heritage. He believes that Arabs were the first to use a circle in creating the wheel, for use in transportation. The circle became a focus of his artistic exploration. The circular shapes, filled with floral and botanical ornamentation, resemble the appearance of an astrolabe or a compass, and are created with gouache colour on a handmade paper.

Mustafa Al Obaidy touring the exhibition with His Excellency Abdullah Al Owais and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine