Artists
Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès
Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès is a distinguished Lebanese-Dutch typographer, researcher, and educator, renowned for her contributions to Arabic typography and design. She is the founder and director of the Khatt Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing Arabic typography and design research.
eL Seed
eL Seed is a French-Tunisian contemporary artist renowned for his distinctive fusion of Arabic calligraphy and graffiti, a style often referred to as "calligraffiti." His work bridges the disciplines of painting and sculpture, developing a unique visual language inspired by the tradition of calligraphy and the energy of urban art.
Julien Breton
Julien Breton is a French artist known for blending Latin script with the aesthetics of Arabic calligraphy, inspired by Hassan Massoudy. He developed a unique style that's visually Arabic but readable in French. Breton also creates light painting calligraphy, performing internationally at venues like the Louvre and festivals in Lyon, Milan, and Abu Dhabi.
Lara Captan
Lara Captan is a Lebanese independent Arabic type designer and typographer based in Amsterdam. She specializes in crafting Arabic typefaces that honor the script's authenticity while embracing modernity and technological advancements.
Mattar Bin Lahej
Mattar Bin Lahej (born 1968) is an Emirati painter, photographer, and sculptor from Dubai. He founded Marsam Mattar, the first artist-run gallery in the United Arab Emirates. Bin Lahej is also the calligrapher behind the facade of the Museum of the Future, a landmark structure in Dubai often described as "the only building that speaks Arabic."
Belal Khaled
Belal Khaled is a Palestinian calligraffiti artist, photojournalist, and visual storyteller from Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip. He is renowned for transforming the Arabic script into powerful visual narratives that reflect resilience, identity, and the lived experiences of Palestinians under occupation.