Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) will explore the visual art of Emirati artist and calligrapher, Mohammed Mandi in the latest exhibition organized by Sharjah Calligraphy Museum on September 1.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Sheikh Salem bin Abdul Rahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ruler’s Office, and Manal Ataya, Director General of SMA, in the presence of the artist and a number of calligraphy enthusiasts and artists.
Titled ‘Luminous Letters’, the three-month long exhibition features over 60 works by Mandi including one that shows his writing of the word ‘Sharjah’ in 42 different forms.
Mandi’s works with a wide range of decorative mediums are inspired by his local surroundings between the past and present, and also include sayings of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
This exhibition celebrates one of the most prominent calligraphists in the country; his mastery and creativity are unique giving him a large fan base
Manal Ataya, Director General of SMA
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She said that hosting this event comes in line with SMA’s mission to support professional and talented artists from the region, and to provide them with opportunities to be exhibited.
“Calligraphy is part of Islamic culture, and through Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, the only such museum in the region, we aim to educate visitors about the importance of preserving this distinguished art form, and passing it on to future generations via our children and family programs,” Ataya added.
The exhibition will display highlights of the artist’s education and career path which began with his study in Cairo and Istanbul where he was mentored under the famous calligrapher Hassan Chalabi.
He will be sharing his (Al-Hilyah Al-Sharifah) painting as part of the exhibition, his diploma and the licences he gained in Thuluth, Naskh, Diwani and Jeli Diwani style calligraphy.
Furthermore paintings that carry famous sayings of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and those by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah will be among displayed works.
Mandi, who was born in 1953, and began his journey with calligraphy in 1975 taking after his father who was an artist, lauded SMA for its role in promoting calligraphy.
“Calligraphy highlights the Arabic handwriting, and the creating of movement in the letter forms to produce creative paintings,” Mandi said.
The exhibition, which runs until December 4, is among several other exhibitions organised regularly at all SMA museums with an aim to contribute to the nurturing of a community that enjoys visiting museums for the cultural and educational experiences they provide.