UAE Artist Diaa Allam Earns Prestigious Nomination For UNESCO-Sharjah Arab Culture Prize
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially nominated UAE-based artist and calligrapher Diaa Allam for the 20th edition of the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture. This prestigious award recognises individuals, groups, or institutions that significantly contribute to the expansion of knowledge and heightened awareness of Arab art and culture. Diaa Allam's nomination, supported by the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), underscores his contributions as a cultural ambassador to Arabic calligraphy.
Diaa Allam views this nomination as a significant acknowledgement of Arab art and culture's evolving aesthetics and diversity. "The UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture reflects the artistic scene's evolution in the Arab world and calligraphy's adaptability to contemporary developments," Allam said. He expressed his gratitude towards Dubai Culture for their continuous support in his professional journey, emphasizing the motivation derived from this nomination to pursue innovative artistic projects aimed at inspiring a global audience.
Dr. Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of Arts & Literature at Dubai Culture, highlighted the importance of the UNESCO-Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture in promoting the principles of Arab arts and fostering dialogue between cultures. According to Dr. Kharbash, Diaa Allam's nomination showcases the significant impact of Arabic calligraphy on the international art scene and aligns with Dubai Culture's mission to support creative talents and their global exhibition.
Over the years, Diaa Allam has honed his skills across various artistic disciplines, including murals, three-dimensional calligraphy, and digital design. His work, which integrates the rich heritage of Arabic calligraphy with modern technology, includes ventures into artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality, the metaverse, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Allam's collaborations include prestigious institutions like the Louvre Museum and the Smithsonian Institute, and he has designed memorabilia for world leaders such as Pope Francis and His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain.
Allam's artistic vision has also led to contributions to significant events like COP28 at Expo 2020 Dubai and partnerships with global brands such as Rolls Royce, BMW, Dior, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Google, Apple, HSBC, and Harrods. His unique approach to Arabic calligraphy, incorporating 3D, flat, and motion techniques, conveys messages of values like excellence, kindness, hard work, generosity, and growth.
With a background as an urban planner, Allam's inspiration stems from geometric shapes, mathematics, and language. His dedication to refining his 3D calligraphy and live art performance styles, alongside experimenting with NFTs, AR, and immersive experiences, marks him as a standout artist in the field of Arabic calligraphy.
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