Top Arabic Calligraphy Artist in Pakistan

Top Arabic Calligraphy Artist in Pakistan

Calligraphy breathes new life into words, stories and even prayers. The ability to turn something as plain as text into something that’s dynamic and eye catching is quite something. We’re exposed to calligraphy in our society a lot and because we see it so often, sometimes we forget to appreciate its beauty.

To remind us of the beauty that is Urdu and Arabic calligraphy, we’ve put together some of the most mesmerizing Pakistani Arabic Calligraphy Artist.

Sehar Shahzad

Sehar Shahzad is an artist specializing in traditional Arabic calligraphy, born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Ever since she was a child Sehar has enjoyed painting, drawing, and other forms of creativity, and it was during her late teenage years th

at she first tried traditional Arabic calligraphy. She had immediately fallen in love its intricate lines, its delicate curves, and its innate beauty, and had since then intended to become a master in this art. Sehar’s love for calligraphy arose at the same point in life where she was beginning to truly internalize her faith identity, and therefore calligraphy became the means of weaving together her long-time passion for art and her ever-growing devotion for Islam.

Sehar has had the opportunity to learn under several calligraphy masters, including Shaykh Yusuf Badat and Haji Noor Deen. Currently she is solely devoted to her journey towards completing her ijaza under her master, Khalid Casado. (An ijaza is a traditional calligraphy certification granted to a student from their master).

In the past, Sehar has had the opportunity to teach workshops, participate in exhibitions, and create custom calligraphy artwork for local and international clients. She has also had the opportunity to work on several large-scale mosque projects in North America. In Toronto, these include a prayer space at the University of Toronto, SeekersHub Toronto, and TARIC Mosque. And more recently in the Bay Area, these include the Fiji Jamat ul Islam in South San Francisco, the American Muslim Association in Hayward, the Evergreen Islamic Center in San Jose, and the Garden of Light prayer room in Napa Valley.

Sehar’s dream is to master this time-honoured tradition of Arabic calligraphy, and then to continue sharing her passion with others as far and as wide as she possibly can. She has come to consider this work as an act of worship, in the shadow of those who have come before her, and as a means to illuminate the path of those to come after.

As of 2017, Sehar now lives in San Francisco, California, with her husband.

Ranaaz Shahid

International award-winning artist Raanaz Shahid hails from Manchester, England. She discovered a strong and deeply creative flare for contemporary art at a very early age observing Arabic Calligraphy on a school trip, intrigued by the geometric shapes and patterns. Raanaz decided then that the creative arts were something she wanted to pursue. Her Asian and Islamic heritage fuels her love for art, fusing Eastern and Western cultures together. Raanaz works closely with textiles and mixed-media, incorporating stonework, geometry, biomorphic and Islamic patterns, with Arabic calligraphy and abstract design on silk, velvet and glass.

Studying Art & Design at an Advanced level at college, Raanaz honed her talent by studying methodologies fusing ideas in Fashion & Textiles, Surface Pattern, Graphic Design, Photography, Fine Arts, Mixed Media, Screen Printing, and Ceramics.

Refining her techniques further, Raanaz pursued a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) degree in Surface Pattern (with Textiles) at the University of Central Lancashire. Embracing her creativity and passion, free reign was given to explore her imagination within the realms of Islamic Art and Calligraphy.
Her website later created a conduit to both support and expand her ever-growing body of work. In 2014 she was presented with the opportunity to collaborate with the Ahlan Art Gallery, which allowed Raanaz to showcase her work to a wider audience.

Raanaz won 2nd prize in an Islamic Art & Calligraphy competition held by the Global Aid Trust, with a piece entitled ‘Through The Looking Glass’ held in 2015. This reinforced Raanaz’s position as an artist of Islamic Design in the modern era.

Awareness of her work grew further when Raanaz exhibited two pieces for the ‘Who Is Muhammad’ campaign held in London. She also exhibited at the Faith In Art exhibition, at the Craven Museum & Gallery, Skipton.

Following this event, Raanaz was asked by the Islam Channel to donate two pieces of art for a charity auction. This presented an opportunity to combine her work with several other charitable organisations.
Later in 2015, for the first time gaining international acclaim, Raanaz had several works of art showcased at both the World Art Show held in Dubai and the Global Islamic Economic Summit. Organised by Ahlan Art, in conjunction with Thomson Reuters & Dubai Chambers, with VIP guest His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Raanaz’s work has also led her to collaborate with actress Yasmin Karimi, designing and hand-making the Swarovkis crystal work on her limited edition products.

In 2016, Raanaz was contacted by the Shahid Afridi (Pakistani cricketer) Foundation, to collaborate and donate a piece of art for their charity fundraiser to help build water wells in Pakistan. Raanaz’s piece alone lead to building 5 water wells. Her piece sold for the highest bid of all the artworks on the night.Her work has also lead her to work with Islamic Relief New York and the University of Bonn, Germany in conjunction with Islamic Relief Germany.

Raanaz has been interviewed by BBC Radio Manchester and BBC Radio Derby about her work as an artist and also appeared on the Islam Channel and British Muslim TV.

Raanaz’s biggest honour came, when she was recognised at the 2016 British Muslim Awards, winning the Arts and Culture Awareness Award and then adding international recognition in 2017 when she was was honored by the World Contemporary Artist Awards, in Hong Kong winning the Appreciation of Artistic Talent Award.

Regards: Uzma Nasir Artist