Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), in collaboration with a group of partners, presents distinctive designs and innovative merch inspired by the power and beauty of calligraphy in the inaugural Dubai Calligraphy Biennale. Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, it continues until 31 October, presenting 19 unique exhibitions and activating 35+ locations across Dubai.

This endeavour aligns with Dubai Culture’s commitment to supporting emerging Emirati and UAE-based talent by providing them with a dedicated exhibition space. This comes within the framework of enhancing the strength of Dubai’s cultural and creative industries.

In collaboration with Art Jameel, Dubai Culture has offered a diverse range of unique products at various biennale locations, allowing the public to explore the creativity of local and international creatives. Among these offerings is a tote bag designed by artist Amna AlSaleh,inspired by the art of calligraphy and its tools, and featuring a variety of papers and fabrics. Artist Raghad Murad, in collaboration with Waggish Design & Artwork, presents canvas tote bags embroidered with different threads, highlighting the beauty and flexibility of the Arabic language. Asmaa Sulaiman Almaazmi showcased her creativity by designing a tote bag for storing writing instruments, while Ibraheem Zaki Khamayseh seamlessly blended modern printing elements with drawings and shapes inspired by daily practice in Arabic calligraphy.

Dr. Azra Khamissa presents a DIY Henna cones kit and three sticker packs: one for wall art, celebrating Arabic calligraphy and messages of love and peace in collaboration with calligraphers Ali AlMasri and Ibraheem Zaki Khamayseh; a classical pack using motifs and designs in henna art; and a Jameel/Jamal sticker pack designed by Mothanna Hussein and inspired by the beauty of all creation, based on a hadith of Prophet Mohammed ‘Indeed, Allah is Beautiful, and He loves beauty’. Maryam Hatam Huraiz Alfalasi, Najla Saif Hadef Alshamsi and Maryam Mohammaed Hathboor Alfalasi introduce palm tree-derived tote bags, re-imagining the Emirati culture unconventionally.

Mirzam is also displaying three Dubai Calligraphy Biennale-exclusive chocolate wrappers featuring innovative designs that reflect the creativity of three female artists. They collaborated with Fatima Alketbi to produce the Al Athmad kohl-influenced art piece ‘Kohl Expressions’. Camelia Mohebi contributed her ‘I Am’, a typography light box sculpture that symbolises the power of positive affirmations. This artwork represents a portion of Camelia’s experiments with illuminating therapeutic methods. Artist Neda Salmanpour is participating with her piece ‘Latent’, embodying the ever-changing geometric movement of the desert sand.

FRAME at d3 is participating by offering a special t-shirt drop of the work of artist B.eautiful, a dynamic initiative based in Los Angeles co-run by Shun Kinoshita that showcases lesser-known Japanese creatives across diverse fields. Their apparel line features unique designs from a spectrum of Japanese artists, including the word “貴い” (meaning “precious” or “valuable”) in this latest collaboration. The aesthetic is simple and clean, representing the unexplored brilliance of Japan’s creative scene.

The inaugural edition of Dubai Calligraphy Biennale is supported by Al Rostamani Group (Lead Supporter) and Sandooq Al Watan (Supporter), and is being held in partnership with a variety of entities in the local cultural scene, including: Dubai Design District (D3), The Cultural and Scientific Association, Mohammed bin Rashid Library, Expo City Dubai, DIFC Gate Avenue, Museum of the Future, Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, Juma Al-Majid Center, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Media Office, Dubai Municipality, Alserkal Avenue, Art Dubai, Women’s Museum, Tashkeel, Art Jameel, Mattar Bin Lahej Gallery, Boccara Gallery, Foundry, Khawla Art Gallery, Firetti Gallery, Efie Gallery, BEDU, AWC Gallery, Hobb Bookstore, Opera Gallery, Mondoir Art Gallery, thejamjar, Medaf, Mirzam, Kalimat, Slay Café, FRAME, 3IXAM, Huawei, and Level Shoes.