Surah Ikhlas (The Sincerity)
Lamp black ink and gold on ahar paper
Elinor Aishah Holland
Service to humanity brings connection.
Human beings are inherently connected. This time of being isolated physically has been a reminder of what it means to be one small part of something much greater than ourselves. We have bonds to others that are not always apparent, but they are becoming apparent now. One way of acknowledging our connection is through service. Calligraphers serve humanity by helping to make manifest the Qur’an and other literary forms of wisdom. When a calligrapher makes a piece of artwork we are throwing light upon words of truth in a way that awakens the eyes and the intellect of the beholder. In my practice I have sought to bring the beauty and the meaning of sublime scripture and literature by making them available in both English and Arabic languages.
“We (calligraphy artists) are throwing light upon words of truth in a way that awakens the eyes and the intellect of the beholder...”
Her passion and enthusiasm for calligraphy began during a visit to Istanbul as a teenager. Finding the study of Arabic calligraphic letterforms difficult here in the US, she discovered the NY Society of Scribes and undertook an education in Latin lettering. She then met Mohamed Zakariya and began a course of study in the Classical Ottoman school, receiving an ijaza, or diploma in 2013. As a freelance lettering artist in Latin and Arabic scripts, her work includes all aspects of involvement with the art, including exhibiting, teaching, doing commercial and commission work internationally. Clients include the Smithsonian Institute, The NY Public Library, NY Society of Scribes, Long Island University, Zaytuna College, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the US Department of State. She has exhibited internationally. Her website is Harmony of Line.