Biography
BIOGRAPHY
Narjes graduated with honor from College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, Zayed University with BFA in Interior Design. She is a professional Arabic calligraphy artist practicing this art since 2000. She’s internationally recognized since 2004 with her first int’l award from IRCICA – Istanbul, followed by another from Algeria’s Int’l Cultural Festival – Tlemcen, Algeria, 2011.
Narjes delivers her artworks in different forms ranging from classical calligraphy plates, to modern paintings, murals and sculptures. She’s implemented the permanent calligraphy murals “Diwan Osha” in the Women’s Museum, the façade artwork of the GDRFA, dozens of other artworks and murals for Emaar’s Boulevard Plaza Towers, Arady’s Central Park Towers in DIFC, RAK Investment Authority, a chandelier “The Shining Letters” at Sharjah Museum and many other high-end projects. In addition, she created tens of logos, design for fragrance bottles with int’l luxurious brands, and has introduced Sheikh Zayed poem “How Beautiful This World Is” in an opera performance influenced by her Arabic Calligraphy art in collaboration with the Royal Opera House - London. Narjes held many open calligraphy workshops for public in different events. She participated in many local and international exhibitions since 2001, and has lately curated other exhibitions. Below are some of these events:
Narjes graduated with honor from College of Arts and Creative Enterprises, Zayed University with BFA in Interior Design. She is a professional Arabic calligraphy artist practicing this art since 2000. She’s internationally recognized since 2004 with her first int’l award from IRCICA – Istanbul, followed by another from Algeria’s Int’l Cultural Festival – Tlemcen, Algeria, 2011.
Narjes delivers her artworks in different forms ranging from classical calligraphy plates, to modern paintings, murals and sculptures. She’s implemented the permanent calligraphy murals “Diwan Osha” in the Women’s Museum, the façade artwork of the GDRFA, dozens of other artworks and murals for Emaar’s Boulevard Plaza Towers, Arady’s Central Park Towers in DIFC, RAK Investment Authority, a chandelier “The Shining Letters” at Sharjah Museum and many other high-end projects. In addition, she created tens of logos, design for fragrance bottles with int’l luxurious brands, and has introduced Sheikh Zayed poem “How Beautiful This World Is” in an opera performance influenced by her Arabic Calligraphy art in collaboration with the Royal Opera House - London. Narjes held many open calligraphy workshops for public in different events. She participated in many local and international exhibitions since 2001, and has lately curated other exhibitions. Below are some of these events:
- 2023, Volumes and Masses, The Cultural & Scientific Association, Dubai, UAE
- 2022, Curating Al Owais First Arabic Calligraphy Symposium “The Golden Exhibition”, Al Owais Cultural Foundation, Dubai, UAE
- 2022, Yeditepe Biennial- Süleymaniye Complex - Istanbul, Turkey
- 2021, Artistic Characteristics - Elegant Calligraphy and Inspiring Features Exhibition, SH. Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi
- 2021, Script and Calligraphy A Timeless Journey, Riyadh National Museum, KSA
- 2019, Baghdad International Biennial of the Art of Arabic Calligraphy- Iraq
- 2019, AYAAT-4 by Gallery Arabesque, The Cube, Central Park Towers, DIFC, Dubai
- 2019, Private preview of Arabic calligraphy works, U.S Consul General Residence, Dubai
- 2019, Galleries at MAS, part of the annual program of Abu Dhabi Art, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi
- 2019, ArtBAB (Bahrain Across Borders), Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre, Bahrain
- 2018, Kalimaat by Gallery Arabesque, The Cube, Central Park Towers, DIFC, Dubai
- 2018, AYAAT-2, Solo Exhibition by Gallery Arabesque, Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai
- 2018, VISIONS by Gallery Arabesque, The Cube, Central Park Towers, DIFC, Dubai
- 2016, Beautiful World, solo exhibition at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island and at the National Theater, Abu Dhabi
- 2015, Jali-Diwani Exhibition by Dubai Arabic Calligraphy Centre at Farjam Gallery, DIFC, Dubai
- 2014, Calligraphy Painting, solo exhibition at Gallery Naghsh, Isfahan, Iran
- 2013, A Verse Imprinted, Islamic art exhibition at Ara Gallery, Dubai
- 2011, The International Cultural Festival – Capital of Islamic Culture – Tlemcen, Algeria
- 2010, The Will of the Reed, IRCICA & ADACH, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
- 2005 – 2019, Dubai International Arabic Calligraphy Exhibition
- 2004 – 2016, Sharjah International Calligraphy Biennial
- 2003, Magnificence of Letters, “Hurouf Arabia” magazine, Dubai
- 2002 – 2011, Islamic Arts Festival - Sharjah Art Museum
Statement
As a child, my home and environment were alive with creative handmade wooden works made by my carpenter father. At this early stage, I developed my interest in handcrafts and details.
Later, when my father brought home a calligraphy masterpiece written by his calligrapher friend, I was attracted to calligraphy. I spent hours exploring its beautiful strokes and trying to imitate them and improve my handwriting. There, at 8 years old, my journey with Arabic calligraphy art started. In year 2000, I joined Sharjah Calligraphy Institute, then traveled to Istanbul (2006) and Tehran (2007) to learn the rules of this great art from the most reputed living masters of calligraphy.
Arabic calligraphy has always been a major part of our visual art language. Being the Nation of the Word, with this entire heritage of beautiful poetry, wisdom and sacred texts inspiring us centuries after centuries, Muslim calligraphers have always spent great efforts and deals in translating these spoken messages to a beautiful visual art.
I’ve personally brought some of these beauties into many projects I’ve implemented. A welcoming poetry verse for Dubai residents by HH Ruler of Dubai decorated the building façade of the Residency & Foreigners Affairs HQ in Dubai, and a poem on the history of RAK formed a mural artwork in RAK Investment Authority HQ. The “LetterFall”, a -12meter-high triptych artwork in Emaar’s Boulevard Plaza Tower recited the poem “Pride of Generations” for HH Crown Prince of Dubai, and the whole 18 stainless steel artworks in DIFC Central Park Towers captured poetry verses of HH Ruler of Dubai.
I’ve also had an experience of implementing an opera project inspired by Arabic Calligraphy, in collaboration with a creative team from the Royal Opera House – London. For this opera, I’ve proposed the Sheikh Zayed poem “How Beautiful This World Is”. Stage design, fashion as well as the choreography were all influenced by my dancing letters.
My search for new methods and ways to introduce Arabic calligraphy art continues. I look to use some calligraphy derived patterns in different fields. My implemented chandelier “Shining Letters” presented in Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial 2016 was a step in this direction, followed by several sculpture installations, and I hope it will be followed by more creative and inspiring products.
Later, when my father brought home a calligraphy masterpiece written by his calligrapher friend, I was attracted to calligraphy. I spent hours exploring its beautiful strokes and trying to imitate them and improve my handwriting. There, at 8 years old, my journey with Arabic calligraphy art started. In year 2000, I joined Sharjah Calligraphy Institute, then traveled to Istanbul (2006) and Tehran (2007) to learn the rules of this great art from the most reputed living masters of calligraphy.
Arabic calligraphy has always been a major part of our visual art language. Being the Nation of the Word, with this entire heritage of beautiful poetry, wisdom and sacred texts inspiring us centuries after centuries, Muslim calligraphers have always spent great efforts and deals in translating these spoken messages to a beautiful visual art.
I’ve personally brought some of these beauties into many projects I’ve implemented. A welcoming poetry verse for Dubai residents by HH Ruler of Dubai decorated the building façade of the Residency & Foreigners Affairs HQ in Dubai, and a poem on the history of RAK formed a mural artwork in RAK Investment Authority HQ. The “LetterFall”, a -12meter-high triptych artwork in Emaar’s Boulevard Plaza Tower recited the poem “Pride of Generations” for HH Crown Prince of Dubai, and the whole 18 stainless steel artworks in DIFC Central Park Towers captured poetry verses of HH Ruler of Dubai.
I’ve also had an experience of implementing an opera project inspired by Arabic Calligraphy, in collaboration with a creative team from the Royal Opera House – London. For this opera, I’ve proposed the Sheikh Zayed poem “How Beautiful This World Is”. Stage design, fashion as well as the choreography were all influenced by my dancing letters.
My search for new methods and ways to introduce Arabic calligraphy art continues. I look to use some calligraphy derived patterns in different fields. My implemented chandelier “Shining Letters” presented in Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial 2016 was a step in this direction, followed by several sculpture installations, and I hope it will be followed by more creative and inspiring products.
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