Illuminating the Word

10 Jun-31 Aug 2015

Overview

Within the Middle East, calligraphy holds a special place – both spiritually and artistically. The script of the Holy Qur’an, it has been used for centuries to convey not just God’s word, adorning the book itself, but blossoming through the rich tradition of the Islamic decorative arts. It is also, however, an intensely contemporary art form, with its strict geometric rules lending themselves well to innovative new interpretations. From the abstract to the literal, from traditional painting to calligraffiti, the power of the word is explored in myriad ways through the works of today’s generation of artists, hailing from Iran, Syria and Tunisia to encompass multiple generations and styles to create an illuminated space where the power of the word holds centre stage.