Harf Al Kaf: The Powerfully Elegant Stroke

This bold artwork includes the inscriptions from a poem narrated by the first Abbasid Caliph, Abu Jaafar Al Mansour, he comments on the injustice of the society of the day and laments its unconcern for the plight of the poor. From Kitab Al Mustatraf and Kitab Al Mu’talaf wa Al Mukhtalaf. There is also text around the bold letter that provides an explanation of the term Maghribi, written in Ermes’ characteristic cursive style that is itself intentionally reminiscent of the Maghribi script. The original artwork was produced in 1991, ink on paper, the size of which is approximately 153cm x 123cm. This artwork is in the collection of the British Museum, it is currently part of the ‘Mightier than the Sword – Arabic Script: Beauty and Meaning’ touring exhibition that was held in The Potter Museum, Melbourne, Australia and is currently in the Islamic Arts Museum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Ali Omar Ermes, British Museum