Artist Fatima Alhammadi is passionate about the Arabic language. From the rich vocabulary to the shape of the letters, she sees depth and beauty that others sometimes miss.
She weaves the alphabet into her work, with each character carefully entwined in a sea of spray paint and thick acrylic, typically on a 50-centimetre-square canvas.
The 44-year-old mother-of-four’s skills earned her third place last month in Aldar’s National Day Calligraphy Competition in Abu Dhabi. She won Dh25,000, which she plans to invest in art materials for her studio in Sharjah.
“We had to interpret a poem about how the beauty of our home comes from its people,” she says. “I focused on a section that describes the UAE as my home and your home. In other words, there are no locals and expats. We are all one.”
Using dark greys and white, Alhammadi used her fingertips to paint the background, an unusual technique that she developed herself. Her entry also included sweeping grey letters, contrasted by accents of yellow, and red diacritics.
“Using your hand enables you to mix the colours more effectively,” she says. “You can’t achieve the same effect with a brush.”
Alhammadi introduced calligraphy to her art five years ago at the suggestion of a fellow artist. She joined calligraphy workshops and followed calligraphers on social media. She also began to practise, learning different techniques and searching for her own unique style that she says she still seeks today.
“Calligraphy is very important to our culture and tradition. Our language is so rich, and deep like an ocean, but not everyone knows it. These days everyone uses electronic devices. They don’t write anymore. We need to remind people of the written word and make them like and enjoy it. Calligraphy is one way of achieving this.”
Alhammadi stresses that she isn’t a calligrapher, but rather an artist who incorporates calligraphy into her work. She doesn’t write words, but instead draws and paints abstract and stand-alone letters that bring life and depth of meaning to her canvases.
“Calligraphy in painting is a beautiful art of which you can never grow bored,” she says. “I simply look at the letters and find constant inspiration. I start painting and I cannot stop.
“At the beginning, I decide which colours I am going to use. I paint the background and then draw a letter. I spray water onto it so the ink spreads and merges with the colours behind it. My ideas then start to flow. I might contrast colours at the top or side of the canvas. Sometimes I choose a point in the middle. The whole effect and technique flows as I work.”
Alhammadi uses a lot of black and grey. Her favourite colours, however, are orange and yellow. “They are so vibrant,” she adds.
As the art scene grows in the UAE, Alhammadi finds herself living among a greater number of artists than ever before. So what advice can she offer up-and-coming talent?
“Keep going, keep working and never give up,” she says. “Use your eyes, watch other painters and observe their style and technique. Look for inspiration – go on Instagram, Pinterest, Google and seek examples of great calligraphy.
“Don’t worry about your mood – whether you’re happy or you’re sad. Just start painting and persevere.”
After exhibiting her work at Christie’s in London last year, Alhammadi hopes to showcase her art in more international events in the year ahead.
“This is one of my biggest goals,” she says. “I also want to host my own exhibition outside the UAE. Wherever I go and whatever I do, I want to keep learning.”
What’s your favourite food?
Anything salty, especially smoked-salmon salad. I also like chocolate, but it has to be Belgian.
What is your favourite font?
Al Diwani. It looks like you have drawn rather than typed the letters. It’s like handwriting.
If you could take your family anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I’d visit the US and see different landscapes. I’d love to take them to green places like Boston, Seattle and Yellowstone National Park with its hot springs.
Where’s your favourite place in the UAE?
I like Sharjah Corniche. It’s a wonderful place to go to relax, especially with my family.
What’s your dream destination?
Somewhere surrounded by nature where I can relax without technology.
What do you do to relax and unwind?
I meet my friends. I miss them. I’ve been so busy with my art, I haven’t seen them in a long time.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Don’t give up. Someone once told me: ‘You’re perfect at painting. Keep going. Don’t stop. You have talent.’ This gave me so much encouragement. My husband has also pushed me a lot. He made me see that I’m not a small artist. I am great and can make a business out of my art. I can achieve a lot.
Who’s your favourite artist?
I like the Iraqi artist Ihsan Alkhatib. I like his style. He uses lots of colourful acrylics and oils, and his work is very abstract.
Which piece of your own art are you most proud of?
I love this blue-and-orange painting, called Harmony. I like how I created the shape and the style of the calligraphy. I like the different tones of blue, and orange is my favourite colour.
If you could sit and drink coffee with anyone, dead or alive, who would you choose?
My father. He passed away 12 years ago.
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