Meet the Saudi woman behind 1st reversed Arabic calligraphy typeface

Mawadah Muhtasib now passes on her craft through community workshops exclusively for women. (Supplied)
Mawadah Muhtasib now passes on her craft through community workshops exclusively for women. (Supplied)
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Updated 02 January 2023

Meet the Saudi woman behind 1st reversed Arabic calligraphy typeface

Mawadah Muhtasib now passes on her craft through community workshops exclusively for women. (Supplied)
  • Mawadah Muhtasib created a typeface that mixed Arabic and Latin

JEDDAH: Mawadah Muhtasib, an emerging Saudi artist who reversed the typeface of the Arabic language, is well on her way to becoming a prominent name in the global art scene.

From learning her mother’s technique of writing backward at age 13 to exhibiting in London and New York City, Muhtasib has generated international intrigue in the art of Arabic by creating the first reversed Arabic calligraphy, or calligraffiti, typeface.




She now passes on her craft through community workshops exclusively for women, most recently at Saudi’s largest light-based festival Noor Riyadh, which centers more approachable methods to the craft. (Supplied)

Her messages are not only meant to be read, but are also designed to be deciphered. Engaging her audience with the challenge of decoding letters is a large part of experiencing the artwork itself.

“It’s about expanding your human capabilities into creating the impossible. And this is exactly what I have been trying to do,” she told Arab News in an exclusive interview.

FASTFACT

The Arabic language is one of the richest art forms, the artist says, but in modernity, it is difficult to appreciate the depths of something that has become so ordinary.

Born out of a quest to layer the heritage of Arabic letters with innovative graffiti art methods, her work dares to be the first of its kind, granting her Dubai’s Art Bus competition award and a chance to show her work at exclusive showcases.




Muhtasib’s revered Arabic calligraphy artwork showcased at Bricklane Gallery’s “Contemporary Painting” exhibition in London. (Supplied)

As graffiti art surged in popularity in 2013, Muhtasib experimented with mural painting alongside a novel group, hoping to develop a boundaryless form of art.

With a vision to modernize the traditional, she created a decorative typeface that mixed Arabic and Latin, written from left to right.

It’s about expanding your human capabilities into creating the impossible.

Mawadah Muhtasib

Muhtasib said: “We are so used to Arabic calligraphy when it comes to Thuluth calligraphy, Al-Kufi, Al-Naskh, and so on, and we just read that way and pass it on.




She urges creators not to be afraid to push the boundaries of art and culture. With calligraphy, “your sky’s the limit,” Muhtasib says. (Supplied)

“When I’m doing my Arabic calligraphy, people sit and stare at my work for hours trying to figure out what these letters are, and the moment they realize it’s Arabic, they start to analyze and see all these letters in a different form that we as Arabic speakers are not used to.”

The Arabic language is one of the richest art forms, the artist says, but in modernity, it is difficult to appreciate the depths of something that has become so ordinary.

The goal is not only to get the viewer to read but to actively reflect on the beauty and form of each stroke and letter within the alphabet.




Muhtasib's messages aren't meant to be read, they’re meant to be deciphered. Engaging her audience with the challenge of decoding letters is a large part of experiencing the artwork itself. (Supplied)

Muhtasib now passes on her craft through community workshops exclusively for women, most recently at Saudi’s largest light-based festival, Noor Riyadh.

“In my workshops, I do not teach people to write in reverse … I’m basically giving you the key of how to use the tools of starting to practice in the form of Latin calligraphy,” she said.

As soon as students understand the anatomy of the font family, Muhtasib introduces slanted brushes, layering techniques and stroke pressure. From the first session, students are sent home with a new creative form of expression. "The soul of a person is laid out on a page," she said.

Writing in reverse is not new; the artist’s mother passed down the habit after having to write backward to maintain privacy at work. Alongside that, she passed down her passion for creative innovation.

While most calligraphers in the Kingdom were mimicking Western methods, Muhtasib, at 16 years old, was inspired and encouraged by Tunisian artist eL Seed and Saudi Moroccan artist Shaker Kashgari.

“I took that trick that my mom taught me years ago on how to write and then I changed it into a decorative typeface,” she said.

The concept was designed to preserve the rich heritage of the Arabic language. For foreigners, it offers a chance to engage in the language and learn its history.

“This is Arabic calligraphy in reverse that I took, improved, adjusted and made into a different form. But viewers will also wonder how it actually looked like (originally) and this will make a lot of people go in-depth and learn more about Arabic calligraphy,” Muhtasib said.

The philosophy behind the Typeform has gained interest from international luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Carolina Herrera, Montblanc, Sephora and more, resulting in several collaborations.

Muhtasib urges creators to push the boundaries of art and culture.

With calligraphy, “your sky’s the limit,” she said.

 

 


Saudi Arabia’s wizkids of the future offered expertise on the appliance of science

Several short academic, international and research courses will teach budding scientists practical skills. (SPA)
Several short academic, international and research courses will teach budding scientists practical skills. (SPA)
Updated 23 min 28 sec ago

Saudi Arabia’s wizkids of the future offered expertise on the appliance of science

Several short academic, international and research courses will teach budding scientists practical skills. (SPA)
  • Mawhiba foundation has 12,000 places on programs designed to guide gifted students on career path

RIYADH: Thousands of students are being given the chance to find their inner boffin and get to grips with ethical and social issues of science research on programs by the Mawhiba foundation.

The foundation, also known as the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, has opened registration for several short academic, international and research “enrichment” courses that teach budding scientists practical skills and help them find a future path.

Mawhiba says on its website that the programs are open to “gifted and talented students of both genders” from across the Kingdom, and are intended as a first step to helping them “identify their skills and potentials” and prepare them for more advanced foundation schemes.

Taking part also increases the opportunity to obtain scholarships offered by the Ministry of Education, it said.

The foundation said that the academic enrichment course aims to enhance a student’s “personal and social skills… improve their competence and readiness, build their scientific and practical expertise and challenge their abilities.”

HIGHLIGHT

The academic enrichment course aims to enhance a student’s personal and social skills ... improve their competence and readiness, build their scientific and practical expertise and challenge their abilities. The research program teaches scientific research ethics, deals with issues surrounding intellectual property rights and sets students on a path to their preferred field of expertise.

The research enrichment program teaches scientific research ethics, deals with issues surrounding intellectual property rights and sets students on a path to their preferred field of expertise.

It said the programs use “instructors and academics who have undergone continuous training courses and advanced programs that keep pace with the best technologies and scientific discoveries.”

In-person courses will take place in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Dhahran and Al-Ahsa and will be complemented by virtual courses open to students across the Kingdom.

Registration is open until June 13. Courses begin towards the end of July and finish mid-August. Mawhiba said that there are a total of around 12,000 places on its courses.

 


Deal signed to promote cultural activities in Jeddah

Deal signed to promote cultural activities in Jeddah
Updated 27 March 2023

Deal signed to promote cultural activities in Jeddah

Deal signed to promote cultural activities in Jeddah
  • The initiative aims to run a series of cultural, intellectual, and training events in Al-Balad for young people while helping support and develop youth talent

JEDDAH: Officials from the Jeddah Literary Cultural Club and Al-Hijaz Cultural House in the city’s historic Al-Balad district recently signed a cooperation agreement to promote cultural programs.

The initiative aims to run a series of cultural, intellectual, and training events in Al-Balad for young people while helping support and develop youth talent.

Club chairman, Abdullah Al-Sulami, said one of the main provisions of the deal was to establish cultural and social activities, adding that the community partnership was a requirement for everyone “who plays a constructive role in thinking and caring for young men and women, developing their talents, and presenting them to a conscious and promising society.”

Al-Hijaz Cultural House manager, Mohammed Al-Hasani, said the link-up with the club would be managed by the Abqar Poetry Hub which offers monthly activities including poetry evenings and workshops for young talents supervised by poet and journalist Abdulaziz Al-Sharif.

 


Belarusian FM backs Saudi Expo 2030 bid

Abdulrahman Suleiman Al-Ahmad, who is also the Kingdom’s ambassador to Russia, spoke with Foreign Minister Sergey Aleinik
Abdulrahman Suleiman Al-Ahmad, who is also the Kingdom’s ambassador to Russia, spoke with Foreign Minister Sergey Aleinik
Updated 27 March 2023

Belarusian FM backs Saudi Expo 2030 bid

Abdulrahman Suleiman Al-Ahmad, who is also the Kingdom’s ambassador to Russia, spoke with Foreign Minister Sergey Aleinik
  • The host country for the Expo 2030 is expected to be announced in November

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Belarus met with Minsk’s top diplomat on Tuesday last week.

Abdulrahman Suleiman Al-Ahmad, who is also the Kingdom’s ambassador to Russia, spoke with Foreign Minister Sergey Aleinik about a number of issues.

Aleinik relayed to Al-Ahmad his country’s support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host Expo 2030. He added that Riyadh would stage the event to a “high standard” and that Minsk would contribute any assistance required in making it a success, a Belarusian Foreign Ministry statement said.

Also on the agenda were development of political dialogue, the prospects for expanding trade and economic cooperation and investment interaction between the Kingdom and Belarus.

The host country for the Expo 2030 is expected to be announced in November, Riyadh is competing with Rome, South Korea’s Busan and Ukraine’s Odessa.


Saudi Arabia reports 280 new COVID-19 cases, 2 deaths

More than 69.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered since the Kingdom’s immunization campaign began. (AP)
More than 69.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered since the Kingdom’s immunization campaign began. (AP)
Updated 27 March 2023

Saudi Arabia reports 280 new COVID-19 cases, 2 deaths

More than 69.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered since the Kingdom’s immunization campaign began. (AP)
  • The ministry also announced that 123 patients had recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 818,675

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia reported 280 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, according to the Ministry of Health.

As a result, the total number of cases in the Kingdom over the course of the pandemic grew to 832,709.

The authorities also confirmed two new COVID-19-related deaths, raising the total number of fatalities to 9,629.

Of the new infections, 102 were recorded in Riyadh, 32 in Jeddah, 15 in Dammam and 11 in Taif. Several other cities recorded fewer than 10 new cases each.

The ministry also announced that 123 patients had recovered from COVID-19, bringing the total number of recoveries to 818,675.

It said 4,405 COVID-19 cases were still active, adding that 6,407 PCR tests were conducted in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number to more than 45 million.

The ministry said of the current cases, 68 patients were in critical condition.

More than 69.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered since the Kingdom’s immunization campaign began, with over 25 million people fully vaccinated.

 


Saudi aid agency continues relief work worldwide

Saudi aid agency continues relief work worldwide
Updated 28 March 2023

Saudi aid agency continues relief work worldwide

Saudi aid agency continues relief work worldwide
  • In Pakistan, KSrelief distributed 1,260 shelter materials and winter bags to the most vulnerable families affected by the floods in the Sindh province, benefiting 8,820 individuals

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center is continuing its efforts around the world with the provision of food, health, education, shelter and environmental aid to individuals and families in need.

KSrelief implemented a water supply and environmental project in the Hodeidah governorate. In one week, 395,500 liters of drinking water and 381,500 liters of water for other purposes were pumped into tanks across the region.

Yemen is among the top beneficiaries of KSrelief’s assistance. In total, the center has implemented 797 projects in Yemen worth over $4.2 billion.

These include projects related to food security, health, humanitarian and emergency relief coordination, water sanitation and hygiene, protection, camp coordination, nutrition, education, early recovery, logistics and telecommunications.

HIGHLIGHT

Yemen is among the top beneficiaries of KSrelief’s assistance. In total, the center has implemented 797 projects in Yemen worth over $4.2 billion.

In Pakistan, KSrelief distributed 1,260 shelter materials and winter bags to the most vulnerable families affected by the floods in the Sindh province, benefiting 8,820 individuals.

In North Macedonia, KSrelief distributed 8 tons of food baskets, benefiting 650 people.

In Albania, the center also distributed over 5 tons of food baskets to the neediest families, benefiting 540 people.

KSrelief also distributed 600 food baskets in Bangladesh, benefiting 3,600 individuals from 600 families.

The food distribution is part of a series of humanitarian projects that the Kingdom implements in countries worldwide during the month of Ramadan.

In Sudan, KSrelief distributed 790 food baskets in Khartoum, benefiting 3,198 individuals in need.

In Jordan, KSrelief completed a project to distribute school bags to Syrian students, providing basic educational supplies to 29,881 male and female Syrian refugee students. This aid is part of KSrelief’s ongoing support to Syrian refugees in various fields, including education.

In Ethiopia, KSrelief also concluded its voluntary medical program to combat blindness in Addis Ababa. During the campaign, KSrelief’s voluntary medical team examined 5,500 cases and distributed 1,250 pairs of glasses. The team also performed 426 surgeries.