• Ruh Al-Alam

  

  A British artist of Bangladeshi descent, contemporary calligrapher Al-Alam studied design at Central Saint Martins in London. After graduating, he spent several years in Cairo learning Arabic and studying calligraphy with esteemed teachers.

• Majid Al-Yousef

  

  Dubai-based Iraqi calligraphy artist Majid Al-Yousef previously told Arab News artists should learn the basics of calligraphy before pursuing the art form professionally. “Because otherwise we end up — like the situation now — with a lot of practice, but very low-quality outwork,” he explained.

• Wissam Shawkat

  

  Iraqi artist Wissam Shawkat trained as a civil engineer before switching careers and diving into life as a calligraphy artist.

• Samir Sayegh

  

  Sayegh’s art, although based on individual letters or words, has little to do with language or meaning — it is purely aesthetic and captures the viewer with its dynamic forms.

• Taha Al-Hiti

  

  The Iraqi artist creates mesmerizing works and previously told Arab News that “calligraphy requires a lot of practice, mixed with the talent and character of the calligrapher.”

• eL Seed

  

  Tunisian French artist eL Seed is known for his large-scale, contemporary works that adorn entire neighborhoods and buildings around the world.