Sheikha Latifa launches inaugural Dubai Calligraphy Biennale

Under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) and Member of the Dubai Council, unveiled Dubai’s inaugural Biennale, the Dubai Calligraphy Biennale.

Featuring more than 200 distinguished local and international calligraphers and artists, the Biennale seeks to underscore the significance of calligraphy as a powerful medium for cultural expression.

The Biennale, which will be open until Oct.31, comprises 19 exhibitions across 35+ locations in Dubai, treating visitors to diverse works that draw inspiration from traditional and modern calligraphy and typography in 8 languages.

Taking place as part of the Biennale is the 11th edition of the Dubai International Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition, which is showcasing over 75 artistic pieces crafted by approximately 50 calligraphers from 17 nationalities and organised by Dubai Culture in collaboration with Dubai Collection, Art Dubai, and Etihad Museum, the exhibition’s venue.

Sheikha Latifa visited the International Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition and expressed her admiration for the strikingly beautiful scripts that seamlessly weave traditional elements with contemporary styles.

She praised the masterpieces for their exceptional quality and portrayal of the artists’ creative aspirations, highlighting the aesthetic splendour of Arabic calligraphy.

Sheikha Latifa also took a special interest in several contemporary artworks from the private collection of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and appreciated select pieces from the Dubai Collection initiative and other prominent art collections from the Arab region.

Sheikha Latifa said: "Dubai Calligraphy Biennale is a testament to the emirate’s vibrant creative spirit, celebrating its rich cultural fabric and diverse influences. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the exhibiting artists for shedding light on calligraphy and typography art."

"It fills me with immense pride to witness such esteemed names in calligraphy converging in Dubai and displaying their unparalleled mastery. Dubai consistently pioneers cultural causes, championing initiatives that harmoniously fuse authenticity, tradition, and innovation. In doing so, the city amplifies its stature in the creative economy, drawing from its rich cultural legacy to reflect its visionary aspirations,” she said.

Sheikha Latifa underscored that the Biennale embodies Dubai’s commitment to preserving and elevating the art of calligraphy, and showcasing its profound artistic spirit to the world.

"This celebration, with its wealth of artistic contributions, further adorns Dubai’s dynamic creative canvas, serving as a testament to our unstinting dedication to create an environment where exceptional talents can thrive, in turn enhancing the prominence of Dubai’s cultural and creative sector,” she said.

Sheikha Latifa reflected upon the recognition the Dubai International Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition has earned over the years, observing: "Calligraphy remains an integral pillar of our national identity, elegantly echoing the depth and richness of our local heritage and the expansive tapestry of Arabic language, and celebrating the beauty and cultural richness inherent in Arab creativity.”

The 11th edition of the exhibition delves deeper into the intricate intersections of calligraphy within the realm of fine art, exploring the timeless allure of Arabic letters that have ignited the imagination of countless artists through the ages.

The exhibition showcases a curated selection of modern and contemporary visual art masterpieces in collaboration with some of the region’s most esteemed art collections, with a host of eminent artists and calligraphers as honoured guests.

The esteemed roster includes calligraphers Mouneer Alshaarani from Syria, Musaad Khudair from Egypt, Rasheed Butt from Pakistan, and Mohammed Ozcay, Fatima Ozcay, and Mohammed Al Tamimi from Turkey, besides professor Ugur Darman from Turkey.

WAM