Emirates Calligraphers Meeting and Launch of the “Rulers of Fujairah” Project
The School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation held its monthly Emirates Calligraphers Meeting at Bait Al Fan, led by calligrapher Elif from the School. The meeting brought together six calligraphers and enthusiasts of Arabic calligraphy: Ms. Dalal, Ms. Fatma Salmeen, Ms. Sheikha, Dr. Fayez, Mr. Abdallah Al Astad, and Mr. Marwan. The gathering formed part of ongoing work on a documentary art project with cultural and historical significance.
During the meeting, the “Rulers of Fujairah” project was introduced. This artistic initiative aims to document the genealogy of Fujairah’s rulers, beginning with Sheikh Mohammed bin Mattar in 1808 and continuing to His Highness the Crown Prince. The project seeks to present this lineage in a carefully studied visual composition that combines historical accuracy with refined calligraphic and ornamental treatment. The ultimate goal is to produce a comprehensive artwork dedicated to His Highness, reflecting the Emirate’s leadership legacy through a meaningful artistic approach
Elif opened the session by presenting the concept and objectives of the project, emphasising the importance of grounding the design process in thorough visual and historical research. It was agreed that the first phase would focus on gathering references and conducting studies, particularly examining traditional Arab and Islamic genealogy trees, historical manuscript examples, contemporary family tree designs, and motifs inspired by the UAE and Gulf heritage, such as the falcon, palm tree, forts, and geometric patterns. Various calligraphic composition formats including circular, vertical, and mirrored structures will also be explored.
Participants were asked to bring two to three images that inspire them to the next meeting, along with a brief explanation of their choices. This will mark the transition to designing the names and selecting the most cohesive visual approach. Elif stressed the importance of adopting a unified calligraphic style that suits all names to ensure harmony within the final composition.
On the research side, participants were encouraged to study the life and achievements of each ruler and to examine traditional naming conventions in Islamic manuscripts, thereby strengthening the intellectual foundation of the artwork. The group also agreed to develop a documentation file explaining the rationale behind selected details and design elements, serving as an accompanying reference that reflects the project’s methodology.
This initiative reflects the School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation’s commitment to producing documentary artworks connected to the history of Fujairah, highlighting Arabic calligraphy as an artistic medium capable of merging historical documentation with visual expression in a cohesive and meaningful composition.