MOUNEER AL-SHAARANI

Mouneer Al-Shaarani, a highly respected and renowned contemporary Arabic calligrapher, has developed an innovative style that has challenged the conventions of an art form that has been stagnant for centuries through the use of revolutionary typography. This unique style, along with themes that center around timeless adages and poetry, many of which date back to pre-Islamic times, have contributed to Al-Shaarani's international recognition and success.

 Despite the fact that Arabic calligraphy is generally viewed as a static art form, Al-Shaarani has broken the mold and achieved widespread success by designing a number of custom typefaces that he initially used on his book covers and personal artworks. In addition to establishing himself as a prominent calligrapher, Al-Shaarani has also achieved success as a designer and published author, and has played a crucial role in the advancement of the brand of Egyptian jeweler Azza Fahmy to an international level through the use of his signature typeface on much of her wearable art. 

Al-Shaarani was born in Syria in 1952 and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Damascus University in 1977, where he received mentorship and guidance from one of Syria's most respected calligraphers, Badawi Al-Dirany. T, he resides and works in Cairo, Egypt.

Key Exhibitions

2012   Artists from Today’s Syria, Mashrabia Gallery, Cairo, Egypt. (Co-curator) 

2006   Word into Art, British Museum, London, U.K. (Group)

2005   St. John’s College, Oxford, U.K. (Solo)

1998   Museum Rietberg, Zurich, Switzerland. (Solo)

1992   Dar Al-Funoun, Tunis, Tunisia. (Solo)

Mouneer’s artworks are available exclusively online through our partner gallery, Marsoum Art Collective