The Sacred Art of Calligraphy: an exhibition of the works of Rasheed Butt

Because the Quran was first revealed in Arabic, the WORD has been carefully preserved and the art of Arabic calligraphy held in esteem by all Muslims. Throughout fourteen centuries the Arabic character has been the sphere of continuous innovation and originality.

From an early time, calligraphy became the most important art form in the Muslim world, connected to all variation of Islamic cultural heritage. Calligraphy inscriptions are to be found everywhere: on soft and hard material, in manuscripts and in architectual edifices; on wood, metals, glass, ivory, bones and leather. Calligraphy is found in a variety of styles: written, carved, and engraved.

Across the centuries, an elite of calligraphars has appreaed whose masterpieces  have contributed to the immortalisation of the art of their time.

Rasheed Butt is a talented calligrapher. His beginnings started in his native Pakistan where his works have been received with appreciation and enthusiasm. He went on to receive prestigious prizes in many countries.

In this London exhibition, sponsored by the Foundation, the work of Rasheed Butt demonstrated how it connects with the best of the Iranian schools of calligraphy, especially the Timurid school. It has the gentleness of Turkish artists and a strong link to the early Arab heritage, from Kufi calligraphy to the works of Ibn Muqlah, Ibn al-Bawwab and Ibn al-Tawhidi. Rasheed Butt also mixes Chinese elements in his calligraphy thus giving a perspective of his tableaux with ornamental and caligraphy components.

For Quranic inscriptions Butt uses Kufi scrript, reffering back to the Kufi calligraphers of the Quran in first three centuries of Islam. He combines oriental writing traditions with the distinct stamp of his own style, and the balance of his innovative energy shows in his use of the different types of calligraphy: Kufi, Naskh, Thuluth and Ta'liq.