Whirling Dervish Sufi Calligraphy Art Painting

Amir Kamal is an international renowned calligrapher based in Lahore, Pakistan. He attained his calligraphy certificate from Turkey and his exhibitions are held locally and internationally. Kamal’s palette utilizes hues associated with traditional Arabic calligraphy. He employs silver and gold leaf to achieve his set goals. Composition sensibility is also evident in his work. He makes aesthetic use of geometric forms and at places, each form becomes an independent picture. His calligraphy lives and moves on the flat surface. The flat surface seems to be the mystic state of mind, which is deciphered and understood through sensibility in meditation and concentration. At this point he does not create but rather the élan vital takes hold of him and reveals itself in his work. ‘I express my intellectual thoughts through Islamic calligraphy using texts and colors. I’m drawn to Islamic history which inspires me to narrate my internal reflection through traditional art but also try to create a visual tension through symmetrical and geometrical subdivision. Calligraphy for me is more of a meditative process. Each line that I create represents the spiritual energy that emanates from a soul. The intricate details maximize the effectiveness of the Islamic text. This immerses the viewer in divinity and transports them to a tranquil observation.’