Peace and Love: A solo exhibition of calligraphy by Emirati artist and poet Her Highness Sheikha Khawla Bint Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi
Presented by: Al Suwaidi
Saturday 22nd July – Friday 18th August 2017, Saatchi Gallery, London.
London, 18th July 2017 – London’s Saatchi Gallery will host Peace and Love, the first UK solo exhibition of renowned Emirati artist and poet, Her Highness Sheikha Khawla Bint Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi, between Saturday 22nd July 2017 – Friday 18th August 2017.
The exhibition will feature a range of intricate Andalusian – Arab calligraphy inspired by Her Highnesses poetry. Khawla blends both her passion for the written word with illustrations.
Spiritual rather than religious, Khawla’s calligraphy and poetry expresses an eternity that transcends cultural and geographical borders. Imaginative and elegant, her work depicts a hope and positivity for the world–at–large, exploring issues of love, peace, gratitude and beauty. The work does so by engaging the viewer with delicate imagery.
Khawla is a master of ancient calligraphy techniques using papyrus paper and in this form, she beautifully marries image and text to bring to life a poetry that expresses her personal philosophy.
Through this exhibition, Khawla hopes to drive the beginnings of a renaissance in calligraphy around the world.
The exhibition will feature 20 works and be displayed across two galleries at the Saatchi Gallery.
Highlights include her Salam Ya Hawa piece where Khawla examines the power of love letters and their connection to an everlasting peace. Other works include Al Taamul (Contemplation), Al Khillan (Lovers), Alla (The Almighty), Peace, Asrar El Rroh (Secrets of the Soul), Al Khulq al Hassan, Ujathubni Al Hawa (When Love Flirts), Oyonik (Your Eyes), Reqqat El Thog (Gentle Ethics), Silence, Ma El Hawa (People Wonder, What is Love?), Wessal (Ethics of the Universe), Ghazzal (Words of Love), Finni (The Love I Feel), Berrabak (I Beseech You in the Name of God), Al Hawa (Love), Anathir, Keys of Happiness, Mehrabik (Your Niche), Hewar Fekir (A Dialogue of the Intellect).
The Artist:
HH Sheikha Khawla Bint Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi grew to love the written word through the traditional route – reading. Ever since childhood, Khawla has possessed an unquenchable thirst for reading, and has absorbed a great deal of literature and poetry, thanks to her father’s influence and later the encouragement of her husband, H.H. Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nahayan.
The love of literature led her to write her own poetry, which is of a patriotic, nostalgic and philosophical nature. Blending her two enduring passions – fine art and the written word. In their everyday use, the beauty of words often eludes us, but Khawla has chosen to capture this through her artistic poetry. There is a nostalgic and patriotic tone, but above all she is looking like so many writers before her for the words to express a philosophy.
Khawla grew up in the highly cultured and artistic household of her father, H.E. Ahmed Khalifa Al Suwaidi who was the first Minister of Foreign Affairs for the United Arab Emirates, and the founder of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation; the home of the first National Library, and the Theatre and Community Arts Centre.
Khawla has a degree in Business Administration. She has studied interior design, food and nutrition, fine arts and in particular photography. She is married to HH Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed
Al Nahayan, who is the UAE National Security Advisor.
Notes to Editors
For further press information and images, please contact:
Francesca Caller | [email protected] | +44 (0)7833084260
Listings information:
Peace and Love: Saatchi Gallery
Duke of York’s HQ King’s Rd, Chelsea London
SW3 4RY
Saturday 22nd July 2017 – Friday 18th August2017
Gallery opening hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 6pm www.saatchigallery.com
