Artists of Arabic calligraphy have sought to capture Arab and Islamic culture in calligraphy in the ongoing exhibition of the Eastern Province calligraphers. The 10-day exhibition opened last Sunday at the Society of Arts and Culture in Dammam with 70 calligraphy works presented by 40 artists from the Eastern Province. The art pieces also included Persian calligraphy and wood calligraphy by artist Muhammad Al-Hashim. Original art with a love of the written word has created unique artistic styles at the exhibition. “In addition to the variety of calligraphy art works, the exhibition features workshops on the art of calligraphy and its secrets,” said calligrapher Hassas Al-Radwan, who is also the exhibition supervisor. Saudi calligraphers have sought government and business support for their newborn association, said Ibrahim Al-Zair, chairman of the Saudi Association of Arabic Calligraphy. Al-Zair said that the board members of the association are dragged away from their future plans as the Ministry of Information has fallen behind to activate the association with financial support. The association does not even have a building of its own, he said. “We need to show our calligraphers that we mean business when we accept their membership applications to the association,” he said. Talents of Arabic calligraphy should be found and encouraged; a work that becomes the responsibility of the family, school, and the society at large, he added.
