Soraya Syed: The Living Script

This volume draws together leading voices from the field of Islamic art, art history and calligraphy as they respond to the superlative work of Soraya Syed, considered a British pioneer of Arabic contemporary calligraphy. Fully illustrated and centred on key works, Soraya Syed: The Living Script offers a unique opportunity to hear from an artist as she reflects on a personal journey in multimedia practice and the state of the craft today. The prominence and continuance of any craft lies in negotiating the high demands of tradition with the creative impulse to forge new horizons of the art. The contributing essays come from scholars, curators and fellow calligraphers, several of whom share teachers within Soraya's own lineage or have worked closely with her over many years. Together they consider Arabic calligraphy, its historical significance, rich cultural contributions and spiritual vitality as drawing a consilience towards a living art. In so doing, the normative lines between "art" and the "artist" are blurred. Calligraphy becomes an embodiment of aesthetic values, one that "lives" through and within the craftsperson. The Living Script ultimately gathers ideas, history and tradition with a visual presentation of Syed's outstanding repertoire. It aims to reach and inspire a new generation, addressing both specialist readers and a wider international audience.