Wasl:
Beyond the Pen
Ithra’s first exhibition of Contemporary art, Wasl, explored Arabic calligraphy and its links to communities, faith, and language.
The exhibition, developed with the British Museum, brought together 50 artworks, each representing a series of endless journeys between calligraphy and Arabic script. The artworks now hold a permanent place in Ithra’s collection.
Arabic script holds a prominent place in the history of the Kingdom, Wasl celebrates this cultural fact through this exhibition.
The collection from the Wasl exhibition are grouped thematically: Divine Revelation, the exploration of the origins of written Arabic and how they link with the revelation of the Holy Qur’an, and how artists continue to be inspired by the word of God today; Drawing from Our Culture, celebrating the importance of Arabic literature and science, the views evoked by writers, and the complexity of the Arabic language; and Urban Dialogues, embracing artists who use the street and public spaces as canvas for their work, inspired by urban surrounding environments.
