Conversation with Yushaa Abdullah, Black Africa’s first professional Arabic Calligrapher.
Hattat
Yushaa Abdullahi obtained his Ijaza (License) as a professional Arabic
calligrapher in 2013 after a rigorous 5-yr training at the International Research
Centre for Islamic History, Arts and Culture (IRCICA) Istanbul, Turkey, making him the first black African to get this
license. He lives in Kaduna, Nigeria where he runs the 'Hattat Hassan Celebi'
Calligraphy Centre, Nigeria’s only formal Arabic Calligraphy training centre. Late
last year, two of his works were sold at an exhibition in Cambridge, UK, for 3,500 pounds,
which he donated to the first Europe Eco-Mosque project in Cambridge. Last
month April, his works were also exhibited and an international exhibition in
Sharjah, UAE.
More about the works he donated to charity
The Cambridge
exhibition was organised by the Cambridge Islamic Art committee with vision to
seek donations from world's prominent Islamic Artists by sacrificing their
valued artworks to the first Europe Eco Mosque project in Cambridge. UK.
The first artwork is
titled "On 2 dots between 2 dots" is a collection of six beautiful
names of Allah selected based on their number of upper dots. The artwork was
produced to title with the theme ("Dot") of an exhibition of Sharjah
Calligraphy biennial 2016. It was sold for £2000.
The second artwork is titled
" White Tulip" (Al-Gaffar Jalla Jalalah). It is also one out of 6
beautiful names of Allah from the artwork titled " White Tulips " and
was sold for £1500.
Why he holds workshops for calligraphy enthusiasts
My previous workshops
brought a great awareness to the public about the importance of Arabic
calligraphy and upgraded the level of its appreciation in our society. Most of
my students were inspired to enrol into the full learning process through such
workshops and three among the most senior students have successfully completed
the curriculum. Soon, we shall have additional three Hattats in Nigeria when
they receive their Ijazas (Licences).
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The three new Hattats on the way |
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Dr. Muhammed Tamimi and Prof Urgu Darman pose beside Yushaa's work at Sharjah exhibition last year |
I have attended more
than five international exhibitions where all artworks exhibited were sold,
Alhamdulillah.
His tips for calligraphy students.
The most important
aspect about the learning process is one's passion for the art. It should be taken
as a hobby other than profession because it involves an intensive practice and
assignments and can only be endured by a passionate student.
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Yushaa Abdullah stands beside his "Trees on plastic" |
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Money bag. Wealth comes from Allah. |
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Hattat Yushaa Abdullah at work |
Alhamdulillah
ReplyDeleteWe are really proud of him
I Wish him all the best in life and in Akheerah
Amin. Thank you.
DeleteAlhamdulillah, I'm proud of my teacher and to be mentioned in this means a great deal to me as a calligrapher-in-view
ReplyDeleteHardworking students like are the pride of their teachers. Keep at it.
DeleteI am proud of you too, Ibrahim Jimoh.
DeleteHappy to see your school progressing well Yushaa! Your works are amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your encouragement and believing in me.
DeleteAlhamdulillah, am proud to be one of his students. I hope Arabic calligraphy gain more footing in Nigeria 😊.
ReplyDeleteHattat Yushaa Abdullah is proud of all his hardworking students too.
DeleteAmin. I am also proud of you Sumayyah. I hope the nib of your Qalam is always wet with ink.
DeleteAssalamu aleikum, hello, am muinah from lagos, am an aspiring caligraphy student, am really happy to knw abt mallam yushaa and am looking forward to learning from u in Sha Allah sir, have really searched online for calligraphers nd calligraphy schools, most are foreigners nd foreign based ones, i was really surprised nd happy to c one in Nigeria, alhamdulilah. Pls aw do i personally contact mallam yushaa, is there an email or phone contact? Am looking forward to enrolling in Sha Allah. Jazakallahu khayran sir. Here is my contact:08165711985
ReplyDelete