The ancient art of calligraphy is celebrated annually at World Art Dubai and 2023’s edition was no exception.

Award-winning Japanese artist Kiyoko Minami was among world-class calligraphers who exhibited at the previous edition of the annual art fair.

Now WAD supporting partner Dubai Culture and Arts Authority has announced it will launch an event that’s dedicated just to the intriguing art of calligraphy.

The first-ever Dubai Calligraphy Biennale starts on October 1, 2023 and runs for the entire month. Organised by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, the festival will feature more than 200 local and international artists, who will display a diverse range of calligraphic styles and art forms. There will also be more than 100 sessions and workshops led by renowned calligraphers and experts in the field, delving into the many facets of the art form.

The event will take place across 20 venues in Dubai, including Dubai Expo City, the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, and the Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation. The works will be presented in more than eight languages and will span an array of styles, ranging from traditional to contemporary.

The Dubai Calligraphy Biennale aims to inspire an interest in calligraphy and to showcase the art form to a global audience. Like WAD, it’s also a great platform for artists to share their work and learn from each other.

Fatma AlQurashi, Dubai Calligraphy Biennale project manager, said the festival would become "a global event that enriches Dubai's creative scene", while also "enhancing ways of interacting with this art and its aesthetics" and "discovering new talent in calligraphy arts.”

Local and international artists

The Dubai Calligraphy Biennale is a unique opportunity for visitors to learn more about this fascinating art form and see the work of some of the world's leading calligraphers.

These include noted Nigerian artist Victor Ekpuk who is has upcoming artist-in-residence with New York University Abu Dhabi. Following the residency, which is part of the first edition of Dubai’s Calligraphy Biennale, Ekpuk will stage a prelude to the festival with his first solo exhibition in the Middle East. His intriguing style of ‘calligraphy meets an enigmatic script’ pays homage to his Nigerian heritage and can be seen at Efie Gallery in Al Quoz, from 28 September 2023.

Source: ioi News