Black and White: Calligraphy and Photography at Arab Cultural Club

The event was attended by Dr. Omar Abdulaziz, Chairman of the Club's Board of Directors, and Ali Al Mughni, Vice Chairman, along with a large gathering from the artistic and cultural community.

33 Artworks Exploring Light and Shadow

The exhibition featured 33 pieces. Taj Al Sir Hassan contributed 15 calligraphic works, mostly as sketches for completed or yet-to-be-executed artworks. Khalifa Al Shimeimi showcased 12 calligraphic pieces, while Maryam Al Shanasi presented 6 photographic artworks.

A Platform for Creative Expression

At the opening commentary session, Dr. Omar Abdulaziz emphasised that the Arab Cultural Club in Sharjah continues its mission to invigorate the local cultural scene and uphold the Emirate's cultural identity. The club invites creative minds from across the Arab world to connect directly with the public through its regular programme of evenings, seminars, and exhibitions—an initiative envisioned by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who established the club as a unifying platform for Arab intellectuals and artists.

Dr. Omar added: “This time, we’re witnessing a distinctive artistic experiment that unites three creators in a black-and-white-themed exhibition. The works span calligraphy, typographic expression, and photography, yet all revolve around the harmony and interaction between light and shadow—between black and white. These two tones go beyond mere colour; they symbolise the interplay of darkness and light and their deeper meanings, as noted by Ibn Hazm Al Andalusi in his treatise on colours.”

On the Artists and Their Works

Dr. Omar described Taj Al Sir Hassan’s works as spontaneous typographic experiments rooted in abstraction and grounded in solid calligraphic principles. Regarding Dr. Maryam Al-Shanasi, who holds a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Glasgow in the UK and has been a member of the Emirates Fine Arts Society since 1991, he noted her passion for black-and-white photography. “She paints with light, seeking to express the inner, invisible dimensions of the human self.”

As for Khalifa Al Shimeimi, Dr. Omar explained that his calligraphy is characterised by visual density, with bursts of illumination emerging from darkness in various parts of each piece. “His compositions present texts and words that appear intertwined and in dynamic tension.”

Artists Reflect on Their Vision

Calligrapher Taj Al Sir Hassan noted that Sudanese calligraphers have a unique edge due to their academic background in fine arts and design. “We were trained to blend freehand drawing with typographic discipline. My artistic journey reflects this combination. I studied design in Britain, which enriched my experience and helped me craft my own style—one that respects the rigorous foundations of Arabic calligraphy while finding joy in its structured freedom. I’ve produced several projects over the course of this evolving journey.”

Calligrapher Khalifa Al Shimeimi explained that his works explore what he terms “the echo of words.” He aims to embody both the visible and invisible in language. “Words carry echoes and meanings that, while not always seen, are alive and dynamic—interacting with the text, swirling around it like ripples in space. I strive to capture these echoes artistically and chromatically.”

Photographic artist Dr. Maryam Al Shanasi said that her displayed images are magnified microscopic shots—repeated captures of the same scene taken at different times of day. “Through this, I aim to explore the subtle and invisible changes that occur in how we perceive the same object. My photographic work aligns with a contemporary artistic movement influenced by neuroscience, which seeks to artistically examine the workings of the human brain and nervous system.”