Description
Maqamat Al-Hariri: The Art of Eloquence is an exhibition inspired by one of the great masterpieces of Arabic literature. Written in Basra in the twelfth century, Al-Hariri’s maqamat follow Abu Zayd, a dazzling trickster and performer who travels from city to city, using language to charm, deceive and survive.
The exhibition brings this literary world to life through the work of two Qatari artists. Wadha Al Athba creates miniature paintings inspired by classical Islamic visual traditions, while Zainab Al Shibani explores Arabic lettering, typography and the visual power of the written word.
Together, their work celebrates the maqamat as both storytelling and linguistic performance, showing how Al-Hariri’s playful, inventive Arabic continues to inspire artists today.
Presented in partnership with Qatar National Library, this exhibition can be seen at the following libraries:
Manningham Library
Carlisle Road
Bradford
BD8 8BB
- Monday: 9.30am to 2pm
- Tuesday: 9.30am to 5pm
- Wednesday: 9.30am to 5pm
- Thursday: 9.30am to 7pm
- Friday: 9.30am to 2pm
- Saturday: 9.30am to 3.30pm
- Sunday: 12 noon to 4pm
Shipley Library
2 Wellcroft
Shipley
BD18 3QH
- Monday: 9am to 12 noon
- Tuesday: 9am to 7pm
- Wednesday: 9am to 7pm
- Thursday: 9am to 5pm
- Friday: 9am to 5pm
- Saturday: 9am to 4pm
Keighley Library
North Street
Keighley
BD21 3SX
- Monday: 9am to 7pm
- Tuesday: 9am to 5pm
- Wednesday: 9am to 7pm
- Thursday: 9am to 5pm
- Friday: 9am to 12 noon
- Saturday: 9am to 4pm
About the Artists
Zainab Al Shibani
Zainab AlShibani is a Doha-based graphic designer and lettering artist whose work explores dreamlike interpretations of life, time, gender and language. A VCUarts Qatar graduate, she has taken part in international residencies and art trips, including ISCP in New York and Ektashif in Istanbul. Alongside branding projects for local businesses, she continues to develop her screen-printing practice and share it with Qatar’s creative community.
Wadha Al-Athba
Wadha Al-Athba is a Qatari author and artist known for her work in Islamic arts and classical Arabic literature. She gained prominence for her authored and illustrated Spanish-language edition of the classic fable Kalila wa Dimna, published by Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) Press.
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