Arabic Script: A New Series of Charcoals

Having lived in Dubai for over a year now, and previously in Abu Dhabi on /off for several years, I have been formulating ideas for new work for some time. It has been slowly brewing in me, taking inspiration from my new surroundings in the Middle East, constantly photographing, seeing my new world through my camera lens, (KathrynRyanPhotography ) I have been drawn to capturing the quality of light all around and slowly everything has become familiar in this very different world I now live in.When I first arrived as an expat I didn't feel I had the right to start making artwork about here... I needed time to get to know the place, to understand it, become familiar with it.

Bahjah / Joy , charcoal on paper 52 x 72 cm 2013

Al Shajarah / Tree #2, charcoal on paper 52 x 72 cm 2013

Al Shajarah / Tree #1, charcoal on paper 52 x72 cm 2013

Zaman /Time, charcoal on paper 52 x 72 cm 2013

I have many ideas I want to work on, responding to the environment and place I am living in now... To begin, I have started on a series of charcoals of Arabic Script, Naskh script. I am mostly interested in the fluid & poetic shapes of the script, taking what is small & detailed and presenting it out of context, strong , defiant, bold, beautiful, the delicate & strong juxtaposed, the mood & light they are seen in..

 Many years ago I used to make a lot of art work around ancient script, so it feels like I have returned home in some ways...

Early Work : 1992 Script, oil on canvas 122 x 183 cm

Early Work:1992 oil on canvas 183 cm x 61 cm

Early Work 1992 : Scroll, oil on canvas 122 x 183 cm

Early Work : 1991 Fragment, oil on canvas 61 x 183 cm

Early Work : 1992 Ave, oil on canvas 122 x 183 cm

Early Work : 1992 Sacred Symbols oil on canvas 92 x 214 cm

Early Work: 1994 Diptych each 214 x 183 cm overall