Calligrapher & Artist
By Saleh Al Shukairi
Early works
My early works were engaged with Arabic classic calligraphy when I had no tendency towards drawing at all. I was at elementary school at the time and adored the letter (و) in the Arabic alphabet. I thought that the letter holds a kind of harmony in its shape on the paper. Later, I started purchasing books on calligraphy though very few of them were available.
In 1993, I joined the Omani Association for Fine Arts. During summer holidays, I was in contact with Omani artists in the Association, especially those who were closely working with calligraphic art. I was practicing what I had learned and therefore, moved from classic calligraphy manifestation into calligraphysim.
The year 1997 witnessed my first participation in a gallery held by the Association. My start was through displaying a calligraphic painting. Later, I commenced a dedicated life to art and participated in a number of galleries and workshops held by the Association, and youth studios.
Classic calligraphic painting
It is one of the early known arts.
Vision and word formation
Eyesight plays a great role in expression prior to writing itself. The mind eye visualizes the painting before an actual work of calligraphy takes place.
Calligraphy and traditional heritage
One of the known traditions among calligraphers is that if a person intended to be a calligraphist, s/he should be taught by an experienced calligrapher. A trainee ought to be a certified calligrapher if s/he inscribed the Prophet’s, peace be upon him, attributes on a jewel under the supervision of an experienced calligrapher. A certificate holder calligrapher can later sign his name to his artwork.
It is worth mentioning that the Islamic Research Center at Istanbul organizes an annual contest. Each year the contest holds the name of one of the well-known calligraphers.
Color and calligraphic painting
Calligraphers manipulate colors in their various shades. Back in time, calligraphers tended to use black ink on white paper. Later, tea color papers were used with colorful inks like, red, green, etc.
In my early paintings, I used black and white only. Later, I started studying the different kinds of colors, their features and derivatives. After that, I produced a work of art that won a prize in Bangladesh in 2004. A skilled artist knows how to utilize colors in such artistic manifestation.
Scenes and calligraphic painting
Art is a global medium of expression; it talks for itself. An illustrator’s role is to elaborate on materials and techniques used. An artist reflects his intellect and creativity, where as the viewer or observer interprets the work through captured elements, colors and shades.
As for a complex calligraphic painting, that can hardly be read, a calligrapher’s role is to indicate the font face, and kind of paper used.
Islamic Ornamentation and Architecture
I love inlaying some touches of Islamic Ornamentation and Architecture in my works.
