Calligraphy – two perspectives
Dr Mary Knights, Senior Curator of Art, TMAG, will be in conversation with Amir (Navid) Molaverdikhani, a master calligrapher, and Gemma Black, an artist and calligraphic-designer.
Calligraphy transforms the written word into something precious and extraordinary. It is an ancient artform that continues to flourish around the world in many cultures. In this conversation Mary, Amir and Gemma will discuss the art of calligraphy from different perspectives.
One of the highlights in the TMAG exhibition This too shall pass is an exquisite calligraphic parchment covered with tahzib, a traditional golden illumination. The phrase ‘This too shall pass’ can be traced back to the sufi poets and has profound significance for Amir (Navid) Molaverdikhani who was born in Qazvin, Iran, and is a fluent speaker in farsi and English. Amir lives and works in Melbourne, and as well as being well-respected calligrapher and teacher, he is a Clinical Nurse Specialist who has worked through the coronavirus pandemic.
Gemma Black was commissioned by the Australian Government to create the powerful Apology documents which are on display in Parliament House in Canberra. They include the 2008 Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples; the 2009 Apology to Forgotten Australians & Former Child Migrants; and the 2013 Apology for Forced Adoption. Gemma is an artist and calligraphic-designer based in Sandy Bay. She was a recipient of a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship to study in Europe and has undertaken research into the Book of Kells, which is held in Trinity College Library, Dublin. She is a Fellow of the Calligraphy & Lettering Arts Society, UK and has taught calligraphy and bookbinding in Australia and beyond for over 25 years.
This is a FREE EVENT. As we are expecting that it will be very popular, attendance is limited to Friends members. So when you register to attend, you will need to log in to be able to access the member booking options.
Be assured that TMAG is working hard to provide a clean, safe environment for your visit, and seating will be socially distanced. The normal check in requirements will apply when you arrive at TMAG.
Above left: Gemma Black, Apology to the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants, 2012
Above right: Amir (Navid) Molaverdikhani (b.1964) and Fereshteh Azarbani (b.1965), This too shall pass, 2020
