Born in Najaf, central Iraq, artist Hassan Massoudy is considered to be one of the greatest living calligraphers.  Raised in a traditional society were he was prohibited from creating art, Hassan moved on to Baghdad and, through apprenticeships, practiced and studied classical Arabic calligraphy while beginning to explore the fine arts.

Fleeing Iraq's dictatorship in his 20s, Hassan moved to Paris in 1969 where he studied figurative painting at École des Beaux-Arts.  Always influenced by the Arabic masters, but courting new influences from Matisse, Picasso, and Léger, he continued to deepen his calligraphic work while simultaneously painting.

We see in Hassan's work a sense of freedom in the energetic movement of his stokes, the vibrant colors, and intentional gestures that capture the essence of poems he visually interprets.  In breaking with the rules of classical calligraphy, blending the eastern technique with western ideas and methods, the creative potential of Arabic calligraphy finds space to breathe and surface in his extraordinary images.

Peace and tolerance are central themes in Hassan's work.  When discussing his work, Hassan says, "calligraphy can mutate just like our ever-changing natures, always morphing into new versions of itself.  Its versatile nature allows for endless interpretations."  For Hassan, interpreting a poem through brush and reed enables him to grasp the deeper inner meaning of the words.

Along with brushes, Hassan uses a traditional handmade reed pen called a "kalam" as his main tool while inventing and creating a variety of tools and implements as needed from wood, cardboard, and other materials.  Hassan also prepares his own palette of inks.

This exhibit was on view at the Omega Center for Sustainable Living (OCSL) June 15 through August 5, 2022.

Kathleen Laucius
Senior Director of Creative & Art Curator