Saturday, Sep 04, 2010
Gulf News
Anwar is showing his work at Oasis Centre
Dubai From a young age, he was attracted to micro art and calligraphy. It started when he would visit his father at work.
“I would accompany him and spend most of my time after school watching him repair computers and gadgets and it fascinated me,” says Mohammad Imran Anwar, who is currently showcasing his artwork at the Oasis Centre in the Ramadan Tent.
But what exactly convinced him to pursue his art?
“Let me tell you the story that played a vital role in making me practice micro art,” he says.
“I still remember when I was 13. It was at the Dubai Shopping Festival in 1996 and it was on the Dubai Creek. I would spend a lot of time after school at the fair, playing games and going on the rides,” he says.
Observing
“One day I saw a man doing something interesting. When I went closer I found he was writing names on a grain of rice and I was awed by his skill. I asked him to write my name and requested him to teach me this art. I would come to him everyday and observe him carefully. Finally, I broke open my money box and bought the pen and some other instruments and started practising calligraphy and painting after school hours. It turned out that I was quite good at it.”
Asked whether this art requires patience and accuracy, Anwar said he constantly practices. He also follows his father’s advice that ‘practice makes a man perfect’.
Inspiration
He said the time taken depends on the artwork. “If it is just a name with five to 10 letters, it can be done in five minutes. If it’s a logo drawing or calligraphy in English, Arabic or any other language, it takes a maximum 20 minutes.”
The artist said his father is a great source of inspiration.
“I learned from him how to deal with a difficult situation. From that knowledge I came up with my own message and I make sure to be seen through my artwork. Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together”.
Supplied picture
Practising micro art
Pakistani calligrapher Mohammad Imran Anwar practices his micro art and calligraphy at his studio in his home.
One day I saw a man doing something interesting. ...I found he was writing names on a grain of rice and I was awed by his skill. I...requested him to teach me this art.
Mohammad Imran Anwar
Artist
By Fatma Salem?Staff Reporter
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