First Solo Exhibition

by

Sabah ArbilliDoha - Qatar

Private Collection Dubai 2009

.

.

.

.

:

.

- -

.

.

.

.

.

.

2008/1/13

, ,

.

The development of Fanar gained pace after the official launch of the Center on the 13th of January 2008. Within these three years, the field and variety of work has steadily increased, and the programmes have progressed to become world class.

of Arabic language, to such a degree that the unique

curriculum is in high demand throughout the world, as

one of the best available to teach to non-speakers.

We have created and edited a large collection of

brochures and books in a variety of languages with

attractive designs. Our methods and tools used to

deal with the different ethnic groups, cultures and

education levels of visitors to Qatar has proven the

proficiency of Fanars strategy to present Islamic

culture, the very proof of which is illustrated in the

many international notes of thanks, certificates

and gifts proudly on display at the Center.

Fanar has become the number one destination for

many international organizations, who travel to us in an

attempt to understand Fanars mission and vision, to

take learning from our experiences, create partnerships

and to enter co-operation agreements with us.

Fanar has become successful in finding new and innovative

fields in which to build relationships and to spread both the

Islamic Culture and Heritage. We have found that these new

methods are more effective than those used traditionally.

Fanar has been able to create new partnerships with many

large foundations to achieve the goals of each organization.

One of the many areas in which we excel is the teaching

,

.

,

.

Organiser

)

(

.

.

.

Qatar First Investment Bank (QFIB) is the first independent Shariah compliant investment bank licensed by the Qatar Financial Centre Authority. It has an authorised capital of QAR 3.65 billion (US$ 1 billion) and a paid up capital of QAR 1.6 billion (US$ 430 million). QFIBs shareholder base comprises over 1,000 prominent individuals and institutional investors from Qatar and the GCC.

real estate and healthcare sectors. In the region, these

sectors are generally at an embryonic stage and are

primed to benefit substantially from macroeconomic

growth, fuelled by the wealth of natural resources

and increased governmental focus on development.

Outside of these sectors and geographical areas, QFIB

remains open to attractive investment propositions.

QFIB is managed by a select team of multinational

investment bankers who have a combined experience in

various sectors that enables them to conduct business

in different fields. The team has previously executed and

managed investments valued at several billion US dollars.

.

.

.

. 53.6 ) ( 1.6

)430 (.

QFIB offers first class Shariah compliant investment

solutions through its three lines of business; Principle

Investments, Corporate Finance Advisory and Asset

Management. The Bank capitalizes on opportunities

available in Qatar, the broader GCC, the Middle

East and North African Region (MENA) and Turkey.

This area is undergoing a period of unparalleled

economic growth in all major sectors and has proven

its resilience in the global economic crisis.

QFIB focuses on building a diversified portfolio of

investments in sectors that are benefiting from key

drivers of economic change. The bank concentrates

on energy (oil & gas), financial services, industrial,

Official Sponsor

1977 :

: .

.

.

1996 2000

.

.

.

/

:

.

The Calligrapher

Sabah Al-Arbilli

Sabah became fascinated with the writing of the calligraphy masters of Iraq, and he grew up in their shade, trying to imitate their styles and artistic creation. At the age of 14 Sabah was introduced to his first master, Bijart Arbilli, from whom he would later take his calligraphy name in order to be identified as a student of this great teacher. The journey with Bijart was long and intense, where Sabah came to appreciate the dedication needed to become a fine calligrapher. From learning the very basics of holding the pen, to learning about

the formations of each character in the variety of fonts, Sabah excelled under the careful attention of his grand master. Sabah drew closer to the font of Naskh for its direct connection with the Holy book, The Qur`an;

I remember when I was learning the Quran in the mosque and I told my teacher One day I will write the Quran in my hand... and it was with the prayers and blessings of my teacher that my dream came true.

Born in Arbil, Iraq in 1977, Sabah Arbilli started his journey to become one of the worlds best Arabic calligraphy artists in his youth. Sabahs unique handwriting and his aim for perfection of the written word whilst at school earned him the name of Sabah Al-Khattat, or Sabah the Calligrapher, given to him by his school teacher. This early encouragement motivated Sabahs passions, and drove his enthusiasm to excel.

/

creative colors

.

In 1996, Sabah`s knowledge of calligraphy deepened after starting his engineering degree at the University of Saladin in Arbil, Iraq. He found the relationship between the principals of calligraphy and engineering made him look at calligraphy in a more acute perspective.

After settling in the United Kingdom, Sabah Arbilli co-operated with various artists in the field of calligraphy, producing collaborated work, enabling communities to see the beauty of calligraphy along with the similarities and differences between the varying styles.

Sabah Arbilli is determined to keep the traditional techniques of calligraphy alive however he feels for the need to experiment with more contemporary work;

Sometimes I want to express my feelings towards the texts that I write through the movements of the pen or a brush in an abstract or Mashq form.

Despite his great passion for calligraphy, Sabah has lately turned his hand to practicing ceramics, making a collection of pottery pieces using traditional techniques. Bringing his fervour of calligraphy into the world of ceramics, this new style of artwork will no doubt become ground breaking in its own right.

Sabahs work can be found in various museums around the world, as well as with private collectors.

.

By taking part in competitions, Sabah became more determined to produce his own masterpiece and started to carefully execute his work, working distinctively on handmade paper. In 2002 after taking part in the Mus-haf Qatar competition, organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs in Qatar, Sabah found himself amongst the finalists chosen to write the whole Qur`an for the final phase of the competition.

Being selected to write the holy Quran was certainly the greatest moment of my life and at that time was my turning point to becoming a full time artist.

:

.

:

.

His approach to the beauty of the art of calligraphy is unique,

When I look at the letter I look at it as a drawing or portrait which I then translate to my work. I portray the shape of the letter no matter how long it takes, but it is important to me to take it to a level of perfection. Each stroke of the pen marks an amazing point in time and each stroke makes a piece of history. Thats why it is very important to make it as beautiful as possible.

Looking back through history and the legacy of the great works of the previous masters, especially during the golden era of the Ottomans, it certainly helps me to use their works as a reference of comparison. However, with intense practice on a daily basis, I still consider myself very far away from their level. As classic calligraphers we are not able to make a change of the shape of the letters because the shape of the letter reached the ultimate beauty at their hands in the past.

1 - - 3

: 215

- 271

92

114

55

88

- 141

156

60

121

6

22

1 96

46

31

73

3- 4

.

3

54

40

39

- 10

- 52

20

38

{ }

7

10

: 23 - 24

5

. : 1996 2000

.

2004

2006

- 2007

.

.

2007

2008

2008

2008

2008

2009

2009

2009

2009

2009

2009

2009

2010

2010

2010

2010

. 2010

Sabah exhibits internationally, taking part in various international competitions and workshops in order to share

his passion and experience with the patrons. Sabah is currently writing the United Kingdoms first handwritten

Quran, commissioned by the arts organisation Creative Colours, based in North West England.

Attended the following worldwide

Exhibition Aqlam, Qatar, 2010 Biennial Doha for Arabic Calligraphy, 2010 Biennial Sharjah for Arabic Calligraphy, 2010 Exhibition of Abu Dhabi - IRCICA Abu Dhabi, 2010 Exhibition of Aramco for Arabic Calligraphy, Saudi Arabia, 2010 Exhibition of London, 2009 Exhibition of Basmala, Dubai, 2009 Expo of Algeria, 2009 Exhibition of Zaragoza, 2009 Fanar Expo, Qatar, 2009 Exhibition of Budapest, 2009 Exhibition of BBC, 2009 Exhibition of Dubai for Arabic Calligraphy, 2008 Exhibition of Tehran, 2008 Biennial Sharja, 2008 Exhibition of Manchester, 2008 Calligraphy Exhibition-Scotland, 2007 More than twenty courses for the teaching of Arabic Calligraphy across the UK Different lectures regarding Arabic Calligraphy Biennial Kuwait for Arabic Calligraphy, 2007 London Exhibition, 2006 The Exhibition of the Association of Post Midland Calligraphy, 2004 Solo exhibition, Birmingham, UK, 2003Rome exhibition, Italy, 2003

Most exhibitions in Baghdad from 1996-2000

:

2010

2010

2010

2010

/ 2010

2009

2009

2008

2008

2007

1997

1999

98 *

: 2006 -2007

.

1998

1997

Honours, Awards & Recognitions

First prize Burda Competition, Abu Dhabi, 2010

First prize Naskh Calligraphy from the

Center of Islamic History, Arts and Cultural

Studies (IRCICA), Istanbul, 2010

First prize Thuluth Style Calligraphy Competition

from the Center of Islamic History, Arts and

Cultural Studies (IRCICA), Istanbul, 2010

First prize Quran writing, Dubai, 2010

First prize 1st Doha biennial in Arabic

Calligraphy, Doha 2010

First prize Sooq Okaz, Makkah Al-

Mukarrama, Saudi Arabia 2010

First prize Quran writing, Dubai, 2009

First prize Algerias Arabic Calligraphy Expo, 2009

First prize Sharjah, 2008

First prize Arabic Calligraphy, University

of Salah ad-Din, Arbil, 1998

Second prize Bank Barka, 2008

Third prize in Naskh writing from the

Center of IRCICA, 2007

Second prize in Naskh writing from

the Center of IRCICA, 1997

Second prize International Holy Quran writing, Qatar

Second prize IRCICA the fourth, 1997

Third prize the Expo of Arbil, 1999

Encouragement prize in Thuluth Calligraphy,

the International Arabic Calligraphy

Competition (Alburda, 2006-2007)

EncouragementprizeBaghdadInternational

Expo: The Arabic Calligraphy & Islamic

Ornamentation Fourth Round, 1998

Al-Jood

Collection

: : : : 75 35

: : )( : : 55 42

: : : 56 48 :

: : : : 75 33

: : )( : : 50 70

: : )( : : 50 70

: : : : 30 118

: )( : : 65 65

: : : : 67 39

: : )( : : 69 46

: : )( : : 53 42

: : )( : : 62 55

: : ) ( : : 61 33

: : : : 73 35

: : : . : 72 45 .

: : )( : : 72 50

: : )( : : 60 40

.

: : )( : : 66 70

: : )( : : 66 66

: : )( : : 51 41

: : : : 73 52

: : )( : : 73 53

: : : : 64 72

{ }

: : : : 63 41

: : )( : : 82 44

: : : : 69 51

: : )( : : 63 42

: : )( : . : 70 54

: : )( : : 56 47

Sculptures

OtherCollections

Private Collection Dubai

Al Baraka Bank Collection Istanbul Private Collection Kuwait

Artists Collection Private Collection Qatar

Private Collection Abu Dhabi Private Collection Qatar

Private Collection Saudi Arabia Al Baraka Bank Collection Istanbul

Private Collection London Artists Collection

Artists Collection Private Collection London

Private Collection UK Private Collection US

Private Collection London Private Collection Qatar

Private Collection London Private Collection Hungary

Private Collection Abu Dhabi Private Collection FANAR

Private Collection Saudi Arabia Private Collection UK

Private Collection Dubai Private Collection Saudi Arabia

Private Collection Saudi Arabia Private Collection Kuwait

Private Collection Abu Dhabi Artists Collection

Private Collection London Artists Collection London

Private Collection Saudi Arabia Private Collection Saudi Arabia

Private Collection Saudi Arabia Private Collection Saudi Arabia

Sabah Arbillis

Collection

Organiser

Supervised by

Official Sponsor

Official Charity Partner

Cultural Partner