"Visual Poetry: Beautiful Calligraphy"

“Visual Poetry: Beautiful Calligraphy” incorporates some of Hamid Ajami’s most recent, striking works. As a Leading pioneer in Calligraphy, Hamid Ajami, pursued this sacred art form from the age of 15, has founded an innovative new style of Persian Calligraphy: “Moala” – a transformative process that has occurred for the first time in 200 years in Iran’s history of Calligraphy. Originating from his “Mo’ala” Scripts, literally referring to the term “The Exalted”, the works on display are a fascinating reflection of Persian Culture fused with inspiration from traditional geometry and contemporary Islamic art. The eye-catching bends and loops in the artist’s Calligraphy have a wonderful resemblance to the slender, diagonal curves in Bridget Riley’s works. Although the respective artist’s were not inspired by one another, Colin Wiggins (Special Projects Curator - National Gallery), will attempt to compare and contrast the geometric forms and calligraphic movement in the paintings, in conversation with the artist himself on the last day of the exhibition (Monday 31st October 2011).

Tuesday 18th October, 6.30pm – 8.30pm - Preview
Preview: A Private view of the Exhibition ‘Visual Poetry, Beautiful Calligraphy’

Monday 31st October, 6.30pm – ‘Art Panel Discussion: In conversation with Artist Hamid Ajami and Colin Wiggins, Curator - National Gallery’
Exhibiting artist Hamid Ajami in discourse with Colin Wiggins (Head of Education – National Gallery) on the parallels between Bridget Riley’s works and the paintings of this pioneering Iranian Calligrapher.