Arabic calligraphy art work goes on show at Katara

The work, considered the first of its kind, was launched by Khalid bin Ibrahim al-Sulaiti, director general of Katara, as part of the Ramadan programme this year. It is based on an idea by the Iraq-born UK-based artist Sabah al-Irbili and drawn from the number of dots in the Holy Qur’an.

The work is an open workshop, where visitors to Katara would add their dots on the painting until the million dots are completed. They should also list their names in a special registry for the purpose.

“This work is unique and enjoys the participation of the public, implementing Katara’s keenness to interact with the people and involve them in the cultural functions, as culture and arts are human practices common among all people,” said Dr al-Sulaiti.

He pointed out that the work has an education purpose to introduce the public to the stages of development of the Arabic calligraphy since it was without dots until its current status. The work also aims at entering the Guinness Book of World Records. Arabic Calligraphy is Katara’s main topic of this Ramadan’s public festivity as an integral component of the Islamic and Arab culture and a basic element of Arabic architecture and aesthetics.

“The idea behind the work was inspired by the Holy Qur’an, which has more than million dots. It has also religious connotations as it is around 7 metres long,  indicating the number of seven heavens, besides the number has various sacred meanings and interpretations in the Holy Qur’an,” pointed out al-Irbili.

He explained that the work implements the spiritual dimensions of Ramadan and the related religious feelings, besides the involved educational targets.

Al-Irbili is a distinguished and prize winning artist in the field of Arabic Calligraphy, who has held various important exhibitions.

A draw will be conducted by Katara on the 1st of August  and the winner, drawn from among the registered participants, will be awarded  a painting by al-Irbili.