Mouneer Al-Shaarani

In a Few Words

Born In: Salamiyah, Syria (1952)

Lives In: Damascus, Syria

Background: The most significant living Arabic calligrapher of our time.

Style & Media: Defying conventions in a stagnant art form through inventive typography.

Themes: Adages and poetry that have stood the test of time, many of them from pre-Islamic times.

In a Few More Words

While Arabic calligraphy is a general stagnant art form, Mouneer Al-Shaarani has defied all conventions, while gaining international acclaim, by designing several custom typefaces. He initially used these unique typefaces on his book covers and personal artworks. Mouneer went on to become a referential calligrapher in his own right, as well as a designer and a published author. Mouneer was instrumental in propelling Egyptian jeweller Azza Fahmy’s brand, to a place of international recognition by crafting the signature typeface she continues to use on much of her wearable art. 

Mouneer was born in Syria in 1952. He graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Damascus University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1977. He studied under the guidance of Badawi Al-Dirany, one of Syria’s greatest calligraphers. Mouneer lives and works in Cairo, Egypt.

Key Exhibitions

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

St. John’s College, Oxford, UK (2005)

Museum Rietberg, Zurich, Switzerland (1998)

Dar Al-Funoun, Tunis, Tunisia (1992)

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

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

Word into Art, British Museum, London, UK (2006)