Introduction to Ottoman Calligraphy with Nuria Garcia Masip

Introduction to Ottoman Calligraphy with Nuria Garcia Masip

Come join us for a fascinating workshop on Ottoman Calligraphy led by the curator and master calligrapher Nuria Garcia Masip. Learn about the history and techniques of this beautiful art form at the majestic Dar al Islam retreat center. Open to participants of all levels or with no prior experience, this event is perfect for anyone interested in exploring the world of Arabic calligraphy.

This workshop is part of a weekend retreat Music for the Eyes, musicfortheyes.com.

The Artist: Born in Ibiza, Spain, Nuria Garcia Masip grew up between Spain and the USA. In 1999, after completing her university studies, she traveled to Morocco where she developed an interest in Islamic art. In 2000, she returned to Washington D.C. where she started studying the rik’a, sülüs, and nesih scripts with calligrapher (hattat) Mohamed Zakariya.

In 2004, she moved to Istanbul where she continued to study the sülüs, and nesih scripts with hattat Hasan Çelebi, and with hattat Davut Bektaş. In 2007, she received her diploma (ijazah) in these two scripts, signed by her three teachers.

She holds a Masters in Art History from the Sorbonne University, has won prestigious prizes in international calligraphy competitions and her work forms part of various private and museum collections. She has also organized numerous workshops and conferences on this art to promote the art of calligraphy internationally. Her work is firmly rooted in the classical school of calligraphy and she enjoys preserving the techniques and materials of the tradition. Nuria is currently living in Paris where she teaches, researches, and works on calligraphy.

The Venue: Dar Al Islam is a retreat center situated on 1,600 acres in Abiquiu, New Mexico. The landscape is dramatic and awe inspiring and utterly different than the rest of the United States. Designed by Egyptian architect Hasan Fathy and completed in 1981, the campus is anchored by its Nubian inspired mosque and includes a library, lecture hall, dorm spaces, and multiple courtyards. Dar Al Islam is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating a harmonious, integrated society through their mission and vision.

Above image by Nuria Garcia Masip in Muhakkak script. 2019. Gold and black ink on paper. Fragment of the verse: “Those who remember God when they stand, and when they sit, and when they lie down to sleep”, Qur’an, 3:191.

Enjoy the video below about Nuria's creative process, on a piece she worked on during the pandemic.

Also check out other Arts events in Abiquiu, Fine Arts events in Abiquiu, Workshops in Abiquiu.