‘Al Wissam Script’: Unique Creations Showcasing the Beauty and Evolution of Arabic Calligraphy
Dubai, UAE, 16 January 2026: Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), visited the ‘Al Wissam Script’ exhibition by artist and calligrapher Wissam Shawkat, currently on view at Tashkeel in Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, until 11 February 2026. The visit reflects Dubai Culture’s ongoing support for practitioners across the cultural and creative industries and its commitment to enabling artists to share their practice with the public. These efforts align with the Authority’s mandate to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global center for culture, an incubator for creativity, and a thriving hub for talent.
During a walkthrough organized by Tashkeel, Badri viewed a selection of artworks and compositions by Wissam Shawkat, spanning more than two decades of research and experimentation. The exhibition presents Al Wissam Script as a living, evolving approach, highlighting the aesthetic richness of Arabic calligraphy, its deep cultural roots, and its continued capacity for expression and development in contemporary contexts.
Accompanied by Shaima Rashed Al Suwaidi, CEO of the Arts, Design and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture, Badri commended the exhibition’s distinctive works and ideas, noting how they convey Shawkat’s vision and his contribution to advancing Arabic script and expanding its reach. She reaffirmed Dubai Culture’s support for this art form and its value as a powerful, expressive, and aesthetic medium. She also underlined the Authority’s efforts to build a sustainable environment that supports calligraphers and encourages the preservation, development, and elevation of the discipline.
The exhibition presents a wide range of works that demonstrate the visual qualities of Al Wissam Script and its flexibility, allowing letterforms to be integrated into contemporary design and visual identity applications while remaining true to classical principles. The script draws on multiple schools, including Eastern Kufic, Thuluth, Jali Diwani, and Ottoman Tughra. Through sustained experimentation and refinement, Shawkat has reinterpreted these traditions into a contemporary system that brings together authenticity and innovation.
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