His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Opens DIFC Art Collection 1

His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed Opens DIFC Art Collection 

" Over 40 works of Arabic calligraphy displayed at the event "

Dubai, 23 June 2008: His Highness Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (DCAA) today opened an exhibition of works drawn from DIFC Art Collection 1, the Dubai International Financial Centre's collection of calligraphic works.

To be held from 22 to 29 June in the lobby of Building 5 in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the exhibition features over 40 works of renowned calligraphy artists from various Arab and Islamic countries.

After the inauguration, His Highness Sheikh Majid toured the exhibition along with H.E. Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of DIFC and Managing Director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.

H.E. Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman said, "Since its inception, DIFC has been keen to promote artistic activities based on our belief that art plays a vital role in our community and in various fields including business. As part of enabling a greater role for art in our society, DIFC seeks to develop Dubai into a gateway for art and artists. In line with this effort, DIFC has built a large art collection of its own, which features the works of a host of regional and international artists. This collection includes the art of many talented upcoming UAE National artists. The calligraphy exhibition that we are organising celebrates one of the great artistic traditions of the Arab and Islamic world. The artists featured in the event have combined words with figurative expressions to create some exquisite pieces."

He added, "The works showcased at the exhibition feature verses from the Holy Quran, the Hadith, prayers, poems, words of wisdom and proverbs. Two pieces have used quotes of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. This exhibition is one of the events organised by the Department of Art and Culture in DIFC to contribute towards realising Dubai's cultural vision. We hope that this event serves to raise public awareness of both contemporary calligraphic art as well as the great cultural heritage of the Arab and Islamic world. We believe that events such as these will contribute to developing Dubai into a hub for artistic and creative professionals."

Artists whose works are displayed at the exhibition include, Mohamed Mendi from the UAE , Aytain Turyaki, Sawash Jowaik, Ali Tawi, Farhad Towrlo, Fo'ad Bashar, Mustafa Halim and Mumtaz Sajkin from Turkey, Taj Alsir Hassan from Sudan, Wesam Shoqat from Iraq and Yaqoub Ibrahim from Jordan. The works have used a range of scripts including Thuluth, Diwani, Naskh and Kufi.

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