Rare Islamic calligraphy on display at Sharjah museum

An ornate single-page calligraphy on display at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization. - Supplied photo

A collection of rare Islamic calligraphy is on display at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation.
The exhibit titled "Rhythm and Verses - Persian Calligraphy from the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia" presents 38 single page calligraphies dating from the 16th to the 19th century, along with a rare Qajar album of calligraphic pieces from the 19th century.
The exhibition will run until June 18 to coincide with the Sharjah Calligraphy Biennale, which is expected to attract thousands of people to the city.
The exhibition is the first time these ornate compositions are being presented in the UAE, which is the result of collaboration between the Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) and Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia (IAMM).
"Rhythm & Verses is one of our most important exhibitions and is crucial for the appreciation and understanding of Islamic heritage in the UAE," said Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Department.
"The exhibition highlights not just the exquisite technical ability of the calligraphers, but their incredible intellectual and spiritual commitment to the practice, resulting in some of the greatest achievements in the history of Islamic art."
The selected works are drawn from the albums of prominent scholars from throughout the Islamic World, and offer a glimpse of distinguished styles of Persian calligraphy such as Naskh and Riqa', Ta'liq and Nasta'liq, Shikasta, and Siyah Mashq.
The pieces represent contributions by some of the famous Persian calligraphers in history, including Shah Mahmud Nishapuri (died circa 1564 AD), Sayyid Mir 'Imad al-Hasani (died 1615 AD), and Dervish Abdul Majid Taliqani (died circa 1771 AD).
Each of the pieces were designed to match the carefully designed text to the rhythm and musicality of its spoken equivalent.
"The title of the exhibition, Rhythm & Verses, was chosen specifically to emphasise the fact that in classical Persian calligraphy the ultimate aim of the scribe was to visualise and complement the technical and aesthetic virtuosity of the reciter and poet as well as the composer and musician," said Dr Heba Nayel Barakat, Head of Curatorial at IAMM.
"Our objective is for each person who encounters a piece to be drawn into a different world of sound, rhythm and contemplation and to appreciate the intangible richness of its tangible beauty."
The exhibition will include a series of workshops in which families will be invited to appreciate the calligraphies on display and then recreate the styles under the guidance of expert tutors.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com