Karim Jabbari reimagines vanishing cultural landscapes at Inloco Gallery

Inloco Gallery is currently presenting Vertical Horizon/361 Degrees, a solo exhibition by Karim Jabbari (Jan. 29 – May 30). The show is the final chapter of a three-part artistic exploration of lost tradition and urban nostalgia themes in contemporary Dubai’s public space.Through immersive calligraphy-based artworks, light installations and photography, Jabbari examines the intersection of heritage and modernity, inviting viewers to engage with Arabic script as a dynamic vessel of memory and transformation.

The title ‘Vertical Horizon/361 Degrees’ hints at the contemporary human condition of two opposing operatives, one verticality that firmly roots people in their cultural heritage, and the second offering a wide 361 degree perspective that keeps them alert to the perpetual transformations around them. In addition to photographs of light calligraphy, the main part of the exhibition consists of handwritten calligraphic works inspired by classical and contemporary poetry.

Emirati artist Khalil Abdulwahid and an artwork.

Born in Tunisia and shaped by the experience of global migration, the artist discovered his heritage through an old library of ancient Arab manuscripts preserved by his father. The manuscripts became the foundation for his calligraphy practice and an essential self-identification tool, connecting him to his roots and inspiring his artistic journey. Jabbari does not confine himself to a single calligraphic technique, but employs a variety of artistic approaches to convey his conceptual vision. He explores layering in his work, superimposing manuscripts or elevating individual lines above the surface, evoking the presence of an archaeological artifact.

At times, he reduces the calligraphic gesture to the repetition of the Arabic articles, focusing solely on the plasticity of form. The approach creates a visual rhythm reminiscent of meditative chanting, where meaning recedes, giving way to the perception of pure sound and textual structure. Some works include compositions executed in the “vortex” technique, alongside subtle references to Japanese calligraphy, whose sacred qualities he acknowledges. Jabbari draws inspiration from a diverse range of authors, including prominent figures of Arabic and global literature like Aboul-Qacem Echebbi, Ibn Khaldun and George Orwell, as well as contemporary artists like rapper Yasiin Bey.

Karim Jabbari with the camera (left) and Khalil Abdulwahid.

Colour plays a fundamental role in his practice. Unlike the variety of techniques he employs, his palette remains deliberately restrained, focusing on a monochromatic spectrum ranging from transparent to deep black. However, gold and copper hold a distinct place in his visual language, carrying symbolic weight as representations of human connections that emerge within a community. The balance of technique and colour reinforces the exploration of calligraphy as a tool for preserving knowledge and transmitting urban culture across generations and geographies.

A few events served as harbingers of the exhibition. The project began with an artistic intervention in Dubai’s historic Al Satwa district. Jabbari and Emirati visual artist Khalil Abdulwahid, besides exploring the fusion of tradition and modernity in the city’s urban fabric, spoke on documenting street life and conversations with residents; their work captures the vanishing cultural identity of the neighbourhood through photography and video art. The intervention drew inspiration from Emirati urbanist Dr. Khaled Alawadi’s 2024 project Sikka, which highlighted the importance of traditional alleyways as social and cultural hubs.

Building on the intervention, the project culminated in a live performance and video art screening in Al Quoz that combined Jabbari’s signature light calligraphy with Abdulwahid’s video art. The evening began with the screening of Abdulwahid’s film, a document of Al Satwa’s disappearing cultural landscape, presented from both the perspective of an observer and as a member of the community. The nine-minute video was an unstructured exploration of the neighbourhood. As the screening concluded, the film glided into Jabbari’s live performance, where calligraphic forms emerged in real time, filling the space and creating a sense of community in the audience.

Overflowing calligraphy.

The evolving imagery was projected onto a dedicated screen, accompanied by the musical improvisations of Faisal Salah (FaceSoul), whose compositions provided a throbbing soundscape that bridged past and present. Calligraphy and light artist Karim Jabbari is recognised among the Top 30 Public Artists by the International Award for Public Art (IAPA); his work has been exhibited worldwide, with permanent installations in prestigious institutions such as the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Centre in Kuwait, the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Saudi Arabia, and the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies in Riyadh.

His influence has been spotlighted in numerous international biennales, including the 2023 First Islamic Biennale in Jeddah, the 2023 Dubai Calligraphy Biennale, and multiple editions of the Sharjah Calligraphy Biennale. Khalil Abdulwahid is a mentee of the late Hassan Sharif, specialising in painting and video art. His notable exhibitions include FotoFest International’s View From Inside in the USA, Abu Dhabi Festival (2014–15), Sharjah: Art from the Emirates at the National Museum of Denmark (2010), and numerous annual exhibitions by the Emirates Fine Arts Society. His works are part of the ADMAF Art Collection and have been featured in the ADMAF publication, The Art of the Emirates.

Inloco Gallery (from Latin, “in place”) has been dedicated to promoting and supporting urban and street artists since 2017. As part of the Inloco Initiative, founded the same year, the gallery operates alongside projects such as the Street Art Research Institute, Street Art Storage and Nuvo Buro Group. Together, the initiatives foster a critical dialogue on the role of art in urban environments, while championing the artistic perspectives of contemporary creators from the MENA region.