Fall 2007 Vol. VI, No. 1

Maingate Connections

Drawing with Words

A “letterer” draws on calligraphy, literature, and architecture to craft her own unique and passionate style.

As an architecture student, I obviously learned design, spaces, shapes, colors, painting, and even a sketchy element of calligraphy. But after a career in many architectural fields, my school-time passion for literature —both poetry and prose—has never waned. Today I have finally combined my knowledge of calligraphy, architecture, and literature to create a unique design. It’s a style that embodies all my passions.

I became completely obsessed with Arabic calligraphy in 1985 during a course in Islamic art at the School of Architecture (now the Department of Architecture and Design). With a new calligraphy pen, I spent a lot of time, paper, and ink duplicating the meticulous work of famous calligraphers; I even signed up for calligraphy courses at a specialized institute. After graduating, I threw myself into more classes and gained confidence and skill in this art form that, nevertheless, remained a cherished hobby for many years because work and daily activities conspired to keep it on the back burner. I’ve never stopped admiring the beauty of the various Arabic fonts.

For 13 years, my career oscillated between architectural, urban planning, and geographic information system (GIS) design projects, but nothing gave me real satisfaction. So in 2001, I attended several exhibitions of wellknown calligraphers and had lengthy conversations with several of them in Lebanon and the Gulf. Later that year, I decided that it was time to pursue my interest in calligraphy.

Not surprisingly, crafting a unique style was a tedious, yet pleasant, journey. Tedious because the art scene is flooded with countless styles and media, and pleasant because it is the path to finding and giving shape to one’s own artistic inclination.

This kind of design falls within a special category in calligraphic art, called “lettering.” While similar to calligraphy in terms of using letters and words in an artistic way, the difference is vastly significant. “Letterers” do not necessarily abide by the rules of classical calligraphic styles. They may even use their own designed handwriting style and incorporate colors, shapes, and artistic materials. Within the “lettering” category, the design I selected is best described as “drawing with words.” Although it is an old art form, it has been neglected.

My first large-scale project depicted a famous poem by the great Arab poet, Al Moutanabbi, drawn in the shape of three horses. This first painting is, and will probably remain, my favorite even though my style has developed a lot since then. It bears witness to my basic studies, trials, thoughts, decisions, and disappointments at that time.

After the initial decision to shift careers, I started following a more intense and focused regimen. I selected other poems and poets, experimented with other shapes and themes, and started reading and drawing more.

So now, spaces can be adorned by paintings or murals of drawn verses by Antara bin Shadad or Elias Abu Shabakeh, and excerpts from Gibran Khalil Gibran or Ibn al Mouqafa’, and walls transformed into pieces of literature and history.

I enjoy relating to clients as a designer, but also as a literature buff. I usually discuss their preferences in poetry, poets, and topics, although many people prefer to select an existing painting. My greatest pleasure is when clients write to tell me how much they enjoy the painting. One even remarked that he had learned the verses by heart.

Many friends ask if I regret having changed my career. My answer is definitely no. Academic studies serve as a means to broaden one’s horizon; however, at a certain point, one should pursue one’s real passion.

Rana Khoury (BArch ’88) may be contacted at rana.khoury@yahoo.com.

Write to Us!
MainGate welcomes contributions f rom alumni reflecting on their AUB experiences as wel l as stor ies about their lives after graduation. Submissions may be sent to maingate@aub.edu.lb