Arabic Calligraphy Workshop
Co-Sponsored with the GMU Arabic Calligraphy Club Guest Artist: Negar Nahidian
Monday, November 18, 2024 10:30 AM EST
Horizon Hall, 5008
November 4, 2024 - 10:30am The first session is canceled.
November 11, 2024 - 10:30am (Artist Presentation)
November 18, 2024 - 10:30am (Artist Presentation)
Calligraphy is the highest achievement of the Islamic arts and my mastery of it is a model of worship of the divine. Join us for a 3 day workshop to engage with the beautiful forms of calligraphy, recognizing writing as a form of spiritual practice, and the importance of bringing awareness to the breath in order to create.
About the Artist:
Negar Nahidian received her BA in Art Studio in 1997 and her MFA in Arts & Visual Technology in 2003 from George Mason University. Her digital printmaking work was published in Secrets of Award-Winning Digital Artists: Creative Techniques and Insights for Photoshop, Painter and More (Wiley, 2002). Negar's love for art began at a young age when she discovered her love for the intricate patterns and designs that make up Persian and Islamic art. Later she learned how to incorporate traditional calligraphy and Islamic motifs into modern graphic design, creating a unique style that blends the old with the new. Negar's art is a reflection of her Islamic faith and her love for the beauty of Arabic calligraphy. She believes that calligraphy is a way to connect with the divine and express her love for Allah. As an instructor at Georgetown University, she works to establish an environment that fosters creativity, where students learn the foundation of design, the tools to express their artistic style and the acuity to critique and improve upon their work. As a graphic designer and educator with more than 15 years of experience, she imparts on students the importance of meeting deadlines, and what to anticipate working with potential clients.
Negar's passion for Islamic art and calligraphy has led her to start her own design studio,
where she creates custom designs for clients who share her love for Islamic motifs. She hopes
to inspire other Muslim artists to explore their creativity and share their unique talents with
the world.
In her free time Negar enjoys spending time with her family, drawing, mixed media art,
typography, gardening, decorating, swimming and cooking healthy meals. No matter what
she does design is always a part of it.
Artist Statement:
As a Muslim Iranian American woman I want to share my love for Arabic and Persian calligraphy and motifs. While I have been a graphic designer for over twenty years and continue to teach at Georgetown University, during the Covid shutdown, I began practicing calligraphy virtually with a master calligrapher from Iran. As a seasoned artist who works with typography, I had a very different embodied experience when I practiced using the pen and ink and the way it interacted with paper. Connecting with a master artist who practices rituals dating back 1400 years, connecting me to a community of practitioners, reminding me of spiritual rituals that are integral to who I am.
Calligraphy is the highest achievement of the Islamic arts and my mastery of it is a model of worship of the divine. The goal of this exhibition is to engage the viewers with the beautiful forms of calligraphy, recognizing writing as a form of spiritual practice, and the importance of bringing awareness to the breath in order to create. The language of beauty is a universal language and by engaging with the Arabic and Farsi calligraphy forms, what is framed as foreign and inaccessible transforms into something irresistible through form, color, composition and love.
I use traditional bamboo pens with ink prepared specically for the process, and I write on glossy or semi glossy paper. The calligraphy style I practice is called Neshat with straight up and down lines and Moalla which is curvy and traditional, both styles have evolved out of the older styles of traditional calligraphy. I paint with a brush or the pen directly on canvas, spelling out beautiful words describing The Creator.
My calligraphy is a testament to the beauty of the Persian and Arabic language and the power of the Quranic verses, and it continues to inspire and uplift people around the world. My hope is to connect people and promote understanding and appreciation for Islamic culture and heritage. By sharing this beautiful art form with others, I can help to promote a message of love, compassion, and unity.
