12th Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial begins Wednesday, featuring 681 artworks and 93 events
Al Qaseer: The Ruler of Sharjah’s support has helped bring Arabic calligraphy back to the global art scene
Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of the Directorate of Cultural Affairs at Sharjah’s Department of Culture and Director of the Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial, announced details of the 12th edition, which begins on Wednesday under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. The Biennial will run until mid-November, with events taking place at Calligraphy Square, Sharjah Art Museum, House of Wisdom, University of the Arts Sharjah, 1971 – Design Space, and other venues across the emirate.
Al Qaseer noted that this edition features 681 artworks by 272 artists from around the world, alongside 93 events, including exhibitions, art workshops, lectures and seminars, organised by the Department of Culture in collaboration with more than 20 entities and institutions in Sharjah.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Department of Culture, attended by His Excellency Abdullah Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah’s Department of Culture, participating artists and media representatives.
At the beginning of the conference, the Director of the Directorate of Cultural Affairs welcomed attendees, saying: “We welcome you to this press conference for the Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial, an international artistic event established in 2004 under the patronage and with the support of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. His Highness has given special attention to Arabic calligraphy, recognising its historical and artistic value and its ability to embrace aesthetic changes while preserving its authenticity.”
He added: “Through its successive editions, the Biennial has helped bring Arabic calligraphy back to the forefront of the global art scene, opened new opportunities for artists and calligraphers, and connected this longstanding art form with the present through its history, aesthetics and continuing creativity.”
Speaking about the Biennial’s theme, Al Qaseer said: “This 12th edition is held under the theme ‘Balance’, which opens broad horizons for artists and calligraphers through meanings related to balance and precision—concepts central to the art of Arabic calligraphy. Over the years, the Biennial has helped broaden public interest in this art through a diverse programme combining exhibitions, art workshops, seminars, lectures and visual experiences, allowing audiences to engage with Arabic calligraphy as a living and evolving artistic practice.”
The Director of the Directorate of Cultural Affairs outlined the current edition’s programme, explaining that it spans more than 45 days across Sharjah and includes 93 events organised by the Department of Culture in collaboration with more than 20 cultural, academic and artistic entities. This reflects the breadth of cooperation underpinning the Biennial. Participating institutions include House of Wisdom, Al Qasimia University, University of the Arts Sharjah, Sharjah Museums Authority, Emirates Photography Society and the Union of Arab Photographers, alongside other cultural and artistic institutions.
He said: “The programme features 26 exhibitions of traditional and contemporary calligraphy, with 272 artists participating from Arab and international countries. These include the UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Morocco, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Bahrain, Oman, Libya, Yemen and Tunisia, alongside Italy, Tajikistan, Sweden, China, Canada, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Germany, Turkey and Indonesia.”
He continued: “Participants are presenting 681 calligraphic and artistic works in this edition, ranging from installations and letter-based art to murals, traditional calligraphy paintings and Islamic ornamentation. These works are displayed across cultural and artistic venues in Sharjah, including Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, Emirates Society for Arabic Calligraphy and Islamic Ornamentation, Calligrapher Studios, Dar Al Nadwa, Ceramics House and Sharjah Centre for the Art of Arabic Calligraphy & Ornamentation. These and other venues will become spaces for artistic display and public engagement throughout the Biennial.”
Highlighting the Biennial’s interactive programme, Al Qaseer noted that it includes 61 art workshops, offering participants and audiences opportunities to explore Arabic calligraphy techniques, styles and practices. The programme also features visual presentations showcasing different calligraphic experiences, creating opportunities for viewing, learning and dialogue. He added that the theoretical programme includes three lectures addressing recent developments, issues and contemporary expressions in Arabic calligraphy.
Regarding the accompanying international seminar, the Biennial Director said it will take place at House of Wisdom under the title “Arabic Calligraphy Between Authenticity and Global Pioneering”. It will bring together researchers, academics and artists from the Arab world and beyond who combine research expertise with cultural and artistic practice.
He also noted that the Biennial will host 100 guests, including media professionals, lecturers, calligraphers and art workshop facilitators.
Al Qaseer highlighted several participating exhibitions, including accompanying group exhibitions featuring more than 100 calligraphic works by 38 Emirati and Arab calligraphers. Their themes and approaches range from celebrating the aesthetics of traditional Arabic calligraphy to exploring its contemporary possibilities.
He said: “Among these are ‘Hilya Sharifa’, which presents the Hilya in various calligraphic styles; ‘Balance’, which reveals the flexibility of the Arabic letter and its capacity for transformation and expression; and ‘Pioneers’, which celebrates the essence of traditional Arabic calligraphy and its aesthetic and technical heritage. These three exhibitions will be held at Sharjah Art Museum, which will also host ‘Images from My Beautiful Homeland’, featuring 36 photographic works by 36 photographers in collaboration with the Union of Arab Photographers, and ‘The Language of the Letter and the Eye’, featuring 60 works by 30 photographers in collaboration with Emirates Photography Society.”
He added: “The headquarters of Emirates Society for Arabic Calligraphy and Islamic Ornamentation will host ‘My Family, My Paradise’, featuring 11 Emirati calligraphers. The exhibition draws inspiration from the importance of the family and its central role in building a cohesive society. Meanwhile, ‘Ink of Balance’, held at Emirates Fine Arts Society, presents a range of artistic approaches spanning classical and contemporary Arabic calligraphy.”
The Biennial Director continued: “House of Wisdom will host ‘Bymizan: From the Dot to the Meaning’, featuring the artistic practices of Her Highness Sheikha Khawla Bint Ahmed Khalifa Al-Suwaidi, Khalifa Elshimy, Hameed AlSaady and Khalid Al Jallaf. The exhibition explores the journey of the Arabic letter from its first dot to its complete visual form and meaning, tracing stages in which the letter takes shape through precise relationships of proportion and balance. The dot is the foundation of measurement; the letter is a structure whose elements come together in harmony; the word is a space where form meets emptiness; and the sentence brings beauty and meaning together.”
He said that 1971 – Design Space will host “Barzakh” by Sara Ahli from the UAE and Farída Steit from Egypt; “Haa” by Bahraini artist Ali Mlaih; “Sea Without Shore” by Emirati artist Hessa Lootah; and two exhibitions by Pakistani artist Shabir Mir: the indoor exhibition “The Alphabet of Sitting” and the outdoor exhibition “The Measure of Existence”. A Lebanese artist will also participate with her solo exhibition “Between the Two” at University of the Arts Sharjah, exploring the concept of balance through her own artistic perspective.
Regarding the Biennial’s honours and awards, Al Qaseer said: “This edition will honour three calligraphers: Khalifa Elshimy from Egypt, Belaid Hamidi from Morocco and Ali Al Hammadi from the UAE. The Biennial will also present awards recognizing outstanding works in the General Exhibition: the Grand Prize, three awards for traditional calligraphy, three awards for modern and contemporary calligraphic arts, and the Jury’s Special Award for an Emirati calligrapher.”