The Arabic alphabet is used in thirty odd countries and not all of them speak Arabic e.g. Iran and Afghanistan. The Arabic language is also the official language of Islam which creates a special emotional attachment between this language and its art (calligraphy) for millions around the world.
An ancient art which is still evolving and still capturing the hearts of many ... Richard MacLeod
a bit about me ...
I always loved Arabic Calligraphy but I don’t think it is a surprise or an accident. My father is a calligraphist and he was my first teacher. I spent many hours captivated by his skill and precision, writing miles and miles of nice and beautiful writing. I also attended classic calligraphy classes as a child while we lived in Saudi Arabia.
Arabic calligraphy never left and it became a part of me. But it stayed as a hobby as my parents had other hopes for me. In 1997 I graduated as an Architect from the American University of Beirut, and for the next almost ten years I never stopped exploring new things almost every year. My briefcase now has a diverse bundle of diplomas and degrees, which include law, psychology, photography, film making and massage. In 2008 I was invited to sub for an Islamic Artist who had to give their apologies at
short notice at and Islamic event. I ran a workshop with my friend Wajid Hussain on Arabic calligraphy and poetry. The workshop was a great success and it ignited my passion again and opened the door for me to reconsider it a career. My calligraphy training included classic famous scripts such as Naskh and Nasta’leq but I felt I wanted to bring something new in. I researched the topic and found out about the new styles of Arabic calligraphy. I attended different workshops and for the past two years I’ve been developing my own style with the great artisit Mr. Samir Malik. My style, instead of adhering to a new set of rigid rules, actually brings out the energy in the person and allows them to work in such a way that the calligraphist become the calligraphy.
my calligraphy ... My father is my first teacher and with him I wrote my first lines. Now I sign all my art work with his name, Bahjat I had my training in the classical script of the Arabic Calligraphy and for years I wrote only in classical scripts. In recent years however I’ve been exploring different calligraphy scripts not just the Arabic but also other languages. I have developed a new script of Arabic calligraphy. A script that has a style rather than a rigid alphabet with rigid measurements. A script which everyone
can write and every time looks beautiful and artistic and unique. A script that everyone can call their own. My script uses the individual’s own natural hand curve and hand writing habits to write the Arabic calligraphy in a new curvy way with lots of colors! Its fun :) Currently, I’m doing my MA in Design Studies of the Arabic Calligraphy. I’m researching the BritishIslamic identity to create a new Arabic calligraphy script which will encapsulate the identity in a nonLatin script.
workshops ... I run workshops with three golden rules and those who can’t adhere to them are risking not learning anything from the workshop: 1. Have fun 2. Be messy 3. Ask any question! My workshops are for any one who is over 7 years old. In the workshop I always learn something new and my aim is always that we all learn from each other with lots of fun and hopefully questions too. They are full of fun, mistakes and paintings.
commissions ... I create art which I feel caters for many different tastes and styles. But if my clients can’t find one in my collection which appeals to them then I’m always happy to spend some time with them to try to work with them to create the artwork they will love.
Love - Hobb Arabic Calligraphy Contemporary painting By Bahjat Acrylic painting and acrylic inks on linen paper with canvas textured
My Lord - Rabbi Arabic Calligraphy Contemporary painting By Bahjat Acrylic painting and acrylic inks on linen paper with canvas textured
The Three Heroes Arabic Calligraphy Contemporary painting By Bahjat Acrylic painting and acrylic inks on linen paper with canvas textured
Mohamad Messiah
Moses
People Arabic Calligraphy Contemporary painting By Bahjat Acrylic painting and acrylic inks on linen paper with canvas textured
Pray - Doaa’ Arabic Calligraphy Contemporary painting By Bahjat Acrylic painting and acrylic inks on linen paper with canvas textured
Love Peace Dove - Hobb Salam Arabic Calligraphy Contemporary painting By Bahjat Acrylic painting and acrylic inks on linen paper with canvas textured
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1. No God but Allah and Mohammad is his prophet (La ilah illa Allah Mohammad rasoul Allah) Ancient design Re written by Bahajt Turkish ink on Paper
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2. And God knows and you don’t (W Allah ya’alm w antom la ta’lamoun) Ancient design Re written by Bahajt Turkish ink on Paper 3. In the Name of God the Most Compassionate the Most Merciful (Bism Allah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem) Ancient design Re written by Bahajt Turkish ink on Paper
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4. This is of my Lord’s graciousness (Haza min fadl Rabbi) Ancient design Re written by Bahajt Turkish ink on Paper 4
education ...
Msc Design Studies in Arabic Calligraphy
Teaching diploma (7303) City & Guild
Sep 10 - ongoing Researching the identity of the British-Islam and developing a new Arabic calligraphy script to represent the newly forged identity. Part of the MA is Photography and Fine arts Sunderland University
Sep 09 –Dec 09 Kenton College
Digital Champion (Training the Trainers) Digital Photography Digital Image Manipulation Digital Social Network Short Film Making using small cameras and free software Sep 09 –Jun 10 Kenton College
DSLR Photography Jan 11 Going Digital
Water Colour and Inks Nov 09 – Dec 09
IT Champions (York)
Oil and Acrylic Painting
Mar ‘09
Oct 09 – Nov 09 Newcastle College
Msc. Making Documentaries
Arabic Calligraphy workshops with Samir Malik
Northumbria University Apr 08 – Jun 08
Feb 09 - ongoing
Short Film Studies (Part of Msc. Programme) Apr 09 – Jun 09 Teesside University
BA Architecture Sep 92- July 97 The American University of Beirut
Freelance Artist www.Bahjat.co.uk
work ...
Intercultural Arts, North East Jun 09 – Sep 09
www.facebook.co.uk/BahjatMacDashe Apr 08 - Ongoing Calligraphist (Arabic/Persian/Urdu), Abstract Painting, Photography, Digital Art.
The Community Photographer Project Organised and delivered 8 workshops on Digital Photography and Digital Image manipulation. Worked with 30 children & BME youth from Newcastle and Teesside
Arabic Calligraphy, and Film Making Tutor
Researcher
Pakistan Cultural Society, Newcastle Apr 10 – Aug 10 Delivered a series of workshops working with children and adults
Islamic Arts Tutor SamirMalik.com, London Feb 09 – Sep 10 Delivered a series of workshops at schools in London
Islamic Arts and Photography Tutor
Intercultural Arts, North East Apr 09 – Jun 09 Researched the cultural and religions costumes of BME groups in the North East.
Arabic Calligraphy Tutor Pakistan Cultural Society, Newcastle Sep 08 – May 09 Delivered a series of Arabic calligraphy workshops at school working with children and teenagers
Gem Art Apr 09 – Aug 09 Delivered a series of workshop with children
Co-Researcher
Digtial Photography Tutor and Project Manager
The School of Geography, Politics and Sociology ‘Customer Satisfaction’ and Criminal Justice within Black and Minority Ethnic Communities in the North-East of England
Newcastle University, Newcastle Jun 07 - Sep 07
exhibitions ... Calligraphy Abstract Painting
Calligraphy Abstract Painting
Islamic Arts City Centre Library, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Feb 11
Home Grown Exhibition Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Aug 09
Calligraphy Abstract Painting
Photography, Arabic Calligraphy
Islamic Oral History City Centre Library, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Sep 10
Photography and Calligraphy Wallsend People Centre, Wallsend, UK Aug 10
Artomatic. Washington DC, USA Apr 09
Photography - Digital painting Grainger Market Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Aug 08
www.bahjat.co.uk fouad@bahjat.co.uk +44 (0) 77 22 333 99 1 BahjatMacDashe Fouadisms