152:'calligrams' to a wide range of objects such as large denim hangings, musicians' costumes, and a bass drum. The bass drum was created in 1998 with wood and given calligraphic embellishments by Mahdaoui. When asked about this piece Mahdaoui said, "This drum, transformed into a silent sculpture, has temporarily ceased to be an instrument; it simply exists. Its cultural function - as a catalyst to the senses articulated through formal and improvised melody - has been interrupted. More importantly, it has renounced its particular voice as part of a collective artistic performance. Instead, with its multiplicity of resonances, it has become a dynamic symbol of cultural pluralism, a kind of 'total art' to which people throughout the world can respond in a myriad different ways."
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and he began to paint on animal skins and on the human body in 1980. Today he is known as the "inventor of abstract calligraphy," since his designs resemble Arabic letters, but have no literal meaning. When asked about his style
Mahdaoui said, "I use fragmented and distorted letters to reject valuing each character." He started using his own personal '
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Mahdaoui began his career as an abstract painter in the 1960s, then continued by experimenting with Arabic calligraphy. Mahdaoui has tried various traditional and experimental media. He produced his first paintings on parchment in 1972, he became interested in weaving and carpet production in 1979
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Mahdaoui is of a generation of Arab artists who studied abroad but sought inspiration from their traditional roots. Mahdaoui focused on the poetic quality of Arabic text, and invented a graphic style involving calligraphic works. Rose Issa, a curator, has described his work saying, "Mahdaoui is
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to design the external decoration of its fleet for the airline's fiftieth anniversary. He has also created monumental stained-glass windows for public buildings in the United Arab
Emirates. Mahdaoui followed his love of music, costume, and performance by using different media to apply his
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careful not to emphasize the meaning of words but stresses instead the visual effect of compositions. His 'calligrams' evoke infinite pleasures in rhythms, fast or slow, born from tension of the wrist, somewhat in the manner of a melodic flow, rising and fading away".
140:' on various mediums such as: canvas, papyrus, sculpture, aluminum, brass, drum, textile, embroidery, tapestry, ceramic, wood, jewelry, stained steel glass, planes, etc. On account of his use of calligraphy in art, he is said to be part of the Hurufiyah art movement.
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Mahdaoui has participated in both solo and group exhibitions worldwide. His work can be found in private and public international collections, including:
100:(born 1937) is a Tunisian artist known for his use of calligraphy as a graphic art form. He has often been described as a 'choreographer of letters.'
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Spring, Christopher; Barley, Nigel; Hudson, Julie (Autumn 2001). "The
Sainsbury African Galleries at the British Museum".
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Twair, Pat McDonnell (2011). "World-Class
Tunisian Artists Exhibited at Ne Sahara Gallery in L.A. Suburb".
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Geers, Kendell; Ross, Doran H. Ross (Summer 1996). "africa95: Many
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229:'First Prize at the Fifth International Calligraphy and Calligraph-Art Exhibition' in Kabul, 2007
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127:. Mahdaoui returned to Tunisia in 1977 and currently lives and works there.
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Mavrakis, N., "The
Hurufiyah Art Movement in Middle Eastern Art,"
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New Sahara
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in 1937. He initially studied painting and art history at
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147:In 2000, he was also selected by
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552:21st-century calligraphers
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437:. Oxford University Press
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187:Institut du Monde Arabe
572:Tunisian calligraphers
183:Bibliothéque Nationale
245:Islamic calligraphy
367:"Artists Resource"
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38:20 July 1937
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542:1937 births
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240:Islamic art
195:, Edinburgh
156:Exhibitions
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498:"ARTISTES"
251:References
138:calligrams
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61:Education
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431:"Africa"
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218:Awards
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