Mestaria Gallery is delighted to present its upcoming exhibition featuring the Iraqi artist & calligrapher Wissam Shawkat. Running from 11th November to 11th December, the exhibition titled “Calligraformism” brings Wissam’s unique approach to Arabic calligraphy to life, blending traditional forms with abstract, modern expressions. His work speaks through form and movement, creating a visual experience that goes beyond language or cultural barriers.
Wissam Shawkat, a highly acclaimed and internationally recognised calligrapher and artist, has earned numerous accolades for redefining contemporary Arabic calligraphy. With his pioneering work, Wissam developed his own signature calligraphic style, “Al Wissam,” which merges the classical beauty of Arabic scripts with modern design principles. This approach respects the integrity of the Arabic alphabet while pushing its expressive boundaries, setting him apart as a leading figure in the global calligraphy scene.
From this foundation, Wissam introduced “Calligraforms,” a style that transforms Arabic letters into abstract, fluid forms, no longer confined to their textual meaning. In Calligraformism, the intricate shapes of the letters are magnified and liberated from traditional calligraphic constraints, allowing viewers to appreciate their aesthetic qualities as stand-alone visual elements. By blending the rich heritage of Arabic calligraphy with influences from modern European abstract movements like Cubism, and Bauhaus, Wissam creates a dialogue between the East and West, making his work accessible and relevant to all, freeing from linguistic limits.
Calligraformism is more than an art style; it is a philosophy, an artistic movement, that reflects Wissam’s desire to break the boundaries of classical calligraphy. Inspired by the idea that letters are not just tools of communication but abstract shapes with inherent beauty, Wissam sought to free the Arabic letterform from its linguistic role. He beautifully explains, “Each letter has a life and energy of its own. By magnifying their details and removing the constraints of the text, I aim to reveal their hidden beauty.”
Through Calligraformism, Wissam’s work is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Thuluth script, known for its complexity and elegance. Yet, by introducing elements of abstraction, he transforms the classical forms into something entirely new; letters become flowing shapes, lines, and forms that are unrestricted with movement and redefine their original rigid structure.
As Wissam shares his inspirational quote from Pablo Picasso, “Learn the rules so you know how to break them.” For him, innovation in calligraphy is about understanding the history and rules of the form but also having the courage to explore new artistic directions. He adds, “We must be brave and open-minded in our practice; only then will we realise that this is just the beginning.”
Mestaria Gallery invites you to dwell and immerse within Wissam’s masterful brushstrokes and experience his wonderful world of creative artistic expression, where form, flow, and meaning intertwine in a unique language.
Exhibition details:
Exhibition: Calligraformism by Wissam Shawkat
Dates: Monday 11th November to Wednesday 11th December 2024
Location: Mestaria Gallery Alserkal Avenue, Dubai
Timings: Open daily from 10am-7pm
For more information please visit: www.mestaria.art
