Mahmoud Hammad (1923–1988) was a Syrian

painter Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface (called the "matrix" or "support"). The medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush, but other implements, such as knives, sponges, and ai ...

and pioneer of modern Syrian art.

Life and career

Hammad was born 1923 in

Jarabulus Jarabulus ( ar, جَرَابُلُس / ALA-LC: ''Jarābulus'', Aleppo dialect: ''Jrāblos''; tr, Cerablus) is a Syrian city administratively belonging to Aleppo Governorate, under the de-facto control of the Syrian Opposition. Jarabulus lies on ...

Syria Syria ( ar, سُورِيَا or سُورِيَة, translit=Sūriyā), officially the Syrian Arab Republic ( ar, الجمهورية العربية السورية, al-Jumhūrīyah al-ʻArabīyah as-Sūrīyah), is a Western Asian country loc ...

. He studied art at the

Accademia di belle arti di Roma The Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma is a public tertiary academy of art in Rome, Italy. It was founded in the sixteenth century, but the present institution dates from the time of the unification of Italy and the capture of Rome by the Kingdom ...

between 1953 and 1957. He focused on the art of engraving and especially the art medals. After completing his studies he returned to

Damascus )), is an adjective which means "spacious". , motto = , image_flag = Flag of Damascus.svg , image_seal = Emblem of Damascus.svg , seal_type = Seal , map_caption = , ...

in 1960 and taught as professor at the Fine Arts Faculty of Damascus since its creation. From 1970 until 1980, he became dean at the Fine Arts Faculty of Damascus. In 1939, he started exhibiting his work throughout most Arab countries, Europe and the United States. In 1948, he received first prize in Arts in Damascus Exhibition, in 1957, first prize at the competition of the city of Naples, and in 1959, first prize at the competition of Ministry of Culture in United Arab Republic. In his work, Hammad uses the geometry of elementary forms to express the dynamic spirit of the Arabic letter. Among circles, squares, rectangles, determined by the color, the letter appears with liberty to end a profound silence. His work has been shown in exhibitions at museums such as the

Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts is a major contemporary art museum located in Amman, Jordan. The Official inauguration of the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts (JNGFA) was held under the patronage of the late King Hussein and Queen Noor ...

. He was married to Derrie Fakhoury. He died 1988 in Damascus,Syria.

Work

Hammad uses Arabic phrases in abstract compositions. He interweaves the letters to create a mass of geometric forms. He tries to use forms that are familiar in Islamic culture. This use of Arabic calligraphy as a graphic form places him within the ''Hurufiyah Art Movement.'' The art historian,

Wijdan Ali Princess Wijdan Ali ( ar, وجدان علي) (born 29 August 1939 in Baghdad, Iraq) is a Jordanian artist, art historian, educator and diplomat. She is the ex-wife of Prince 'Ali bin Naif of Jordan. She is best known for her efforts to revive the ...

describes his style of painting as 'Abstract Calligraphy' within the Hurufiyya movement. Select list of paintings * ''Farmers In Palestine,'' 1958 * ''Ard Halji,'' 1961 * ''Glory to God,'' 1985 * ''Iqraa Bism'' * '' Ikal Wa Tawakkal'' * ''Memory of the First of February: The Arab Unity (study)''

Awards

* 1948: First prize in Arts in Damascus Exhibition * 1957: First prize at the competition of the city of Naples * 1959: First prize at the competition of Ministry of Culture in United Arab Republic * 1975: Knight Commander Award from the Republic of Italy * 1989: He was awarded the Syrian First Class

Order of Merit The Order of Merit (french: link=no, Ordre du Mérite) is an order of merit for the Commonwealth realms, recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture. Established in 1902 by K ...

by the Syrian Republic after his death.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hammad, Mahmoud 1988 deaths 1923 births Muslim artists People from Damascus Syrian painters Syrian artists Syrian male artists Syrian expatriates in Italy