Islamic calligraphy work on display

LAHORE
In the most blessed month of Ramazan, there is no other way to celebrate this holiest month than to appreciate the blessings of the Creator through Islamic calligraphic creations, and that’s what has been organised by Ejaz Art Gallery - an extraordinary exhibition of 12 artists’ group show - at its premises on MM Alam Road.
One of the participating artists, Noreen Akhtar, noted her emotions in these words: “Arabic, the language of the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) inspire me. I use the Arabic alphabets in my artwork and it makes me feel an everlasting relation with this language, as it is the chosen language for all Muslims to pray in.”
“In my recent works, I have tried to show importance of ‘Nukta’ in a different manner. Though it seems small and useless but it plays important part in completion of Arabic alphabets. In my present work I have enhanced the importance of ‘Nukta’ as it’s the only major difference in turning ‘hay’ into ‘jeem, The effect is further enhanced by intermingling them with Arabic alphabets and specific Islamic illuminated colours.”
MA Bukhari has been painting for over a decade and he has had a number of solos and group shows to his credit. His canvases combine calligraphy, colours, texture and cubism. His colours are vibrant and expressive and attract the viewer whether it is calligraphy or a seascape.
The tension in Javed Qamar’s brightly coloured oil on canvas calligraphy catches the attention of the viewer at first glance. The red and green contrasts are beautiful and powerful. Different names of Allah are inscribed on a globe in a well-developed perspective. The composition speaks of God’s omnipotence: He is all over the globe in different forms. Interestingly, the most distinguished names in the painting were ‘Al Musavir’ and ‘Al Bari’. The artwork speaks of the attributes of God that the artist feels most relatable to.
Khusro Subzwari is a self- taught artist, who has been passionate for art since his childhood. He completed his Civil Engineering from NED University in 1981. While pursuing his engineering studies, he continued participating actively in art related programmes. His oil painting work was awarded 2nd prize by the Master artist Gulgee in 1978. Khusro worked for a year in Saudi Arabia, and subsequently went to the USA to complete his masters in Civil Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1984. Aamir Kamal, a calligraphist of very high calibre and a renowned calligrapher, started his work in 1997. Since then he has devoted his everything to Islamic calligraphy. He has exhibited his work all over the globe and many of his calligraphy masterpieces feature in the world. He is one of the Pakistan’s foremost calligraphers.
Amir has worked to promote the art of Islamic calligraphy. He has had several group exhibitions in Pakistan and overseas and also participated in several art exhibitions. He has worked in a number of calligraphic styles, including reproductions of texts from the Quran and the Hadith, traditional invocations and prayers and property. His specialty is in the illumination of the traditional style of calligraphy using gold leaf. He mainly works on paper and wasli and, recently, has started his traditional style on canvas
Jamshed Qaisar graduated from the Punjab University and currently works as a teacher of calligraphy at the Iranian Cultural Centre, Lahore. A member of Pakistan Calligraphy Artists Guild, Qaisar’s unique style incorporates a freehand single stroke to explore selected Quranic verses.