Name: SHAFIQUE SHAD KHAN Profession: FINE ARTS (Artistic Calligraphy)
Started: Artistic Calligraphy was in March 1993. First Exhibition Organized in 26 May 1995. Which was based on the Holy Bible. 115 Exhibition have been Organized Till 18 January 2010. Artistic Calligraphy of the Holy Bible Book was launched in 23rd December 2009 at Alhamra Art Council Lahore, Pakistan.
Distinctions Received
1995 The title "First International Christian Artistic Calligrapher"
1997 The title " First National Artistic Calligrapher"
1998 The title"First Christian Islamic Artistic Calligraher"
2002 The "National Culture Award" From the Government of Pakistan
2009 The "Golden Jubliee Award" From the Catholic Bible Commission of Pakistan
There is a very close and synthesized relationship between art and an artist. If any art exists and survives, it is only due to an artist or artists. Likewise, to be an artist and/or to continue living as an artist one has to be committed to an art form of one or another kind. An art and an artist are necessary components for each other. It is also very important to note that an art must have a purpose. It must have value in itself. It may increase the knowledge and broaden the vision of many and may also be of great benefits and blessings for the human beings.
Painting, calligraphy and artistic calligraphy are the arts of such kinds. The arts of paintings and calligraphy have always been very popular through the history. Those who related and belonged to these arts, in each age, race and nation, they have had added new chapters to their histories and they have also developed these arts as channels for promoting their cultures, view-points and the ethical and religious teachings.
Any artist committed to the art of his inspiration and inclination, has deep at his/her heart sensitivity, truthfulness, faithfulness and love for it. In his/her mind and heart, the creative waves are always swinging. The completion and fulfillment of the art becomes a sole purpose in the life of an artist and one keeps engaged into it cut off from all distractions.
Where painting and calligraphy are two very famous and well-known arts, there many people are unfamiliar with artistic calligraphy. One reason for this ignorance is that this art does not have a very long history. Since the creation of Pakistan, there have been very few who could step out and liberated themselves from the strict rules and norms of these two famous arts of calligraphy and painting. They used the principles, norms and elements of these arts and presented the verses of the Holy Qur’an, in the artistic calligraphy. The lovers of calligraphy received this art very graciously and appreciated it very much. Still there were many who could not see it as more the calligraphy. They remain blindfolded to the vast differences between calligraphy and artistic calligraphy. Both of these arts, though very close to each other, have the worlds of their own. They have their own departments. Artistic-calligraphy has its own styles, it own ways of working and the whole universe of its own.
The reason behind this negligence may be that those who introduced this special art, they themselves belonged to the area and framework of the art of painting. Those who every now and then had created some pieces of art in artistic-calligraphy, they made use of the rules and norms of calligraphy and in fact produced some calligraphic art.
When in 1993, I began the art of artistic-calligraphy and there were many exhibitions in many of the art galleries, I learnt that there was not even a single term for such an art in the English dictionary. I did not find any other term, which could come closer to define this art. Then I coined the term ‘Artistic-Calligraphy’; and the piece art as ‘painting.’ In other words, I introduced and called it ‘The Artistic-Calligraphy of Painting.’ This way, from day one, I have continued day and night to promote this art of artistic-calligraphy and have engaged myself in writing a new history by creating, adapting and bring new styles into this art.
The amalgamation of Calligraphy and Painting is called ‘Artistic-Calligraphy’ and the artist is called ‘Artistic-Calligrapher.’ The main feature of this art is that it is free from all the norms and rules of any other art. It just flows like a waterfall and its color schemes are like those of the spring season, where flower of all colors are seen everywhere. Here the brush of the artist flows like an ocean wave and sets its objectives like reaching to the top of the mountain. The pieces of this art can be seen like heavenly galaxies. In all of this, the Artist must carry within himself a sense of knowledge of the beyond, a contemplative mind and the hearty perseverance of being engaged at all times and in all circumstances. Unlike any other art, all pieces of this art must be distinct from each other. Any piece once created may never be repeated in the same form and texture. A very unique and distinct element in this art may also be noted that the words painted in this calligraphic-art, may have all their letters placed clearly and be reachable to the eyes of the viewers. It must present an artistic sense without becoming distraction at any place. If such an art leads the viewer beyond the lines and colors, the art becomes meaningful and creator becomes an artist in real sense of the word.
When I tried to learn who were the first painters and calligraphers then through the pages of the inspired sacred scriptures, I came to know that there was no other but ‘God Himself.’ It was God alone who created the heaven and the earth. He created the whole universe. He created the human beings from the dust of the earth. These are all various pieces of art from the hand of God Himself. They are all different and distinct from one another but still so united and complementary to each other. God is ‘The First and The Artist.’ Then in order to help and guide the human being in their daily living God carved His Commandments on the Stone Tablets. How could He do this if He was not an artist?
When I found the answer to my question, I was very happy. I realized it as God’s gift of His Personal attributes shared with me. He had entrusted me with the gift of both calligraphy and painting and called me to unite the two into one. As, I was given this realization, I felt more and more responsible not only to fulfill my vocation but also to enhance and promote the art. I realized, I was not a trained artist in the strict sense of the word neither for Calligraphy nor for Painting. I was not even familiar with the Word of God (The Scared Scriptures). It is only God’s blessing that now with the passage of time I have overcome my shortcomings and my name is counted in the list of very many exclaimed artists.
I wish, as my gratitude to God for his blessings and gifts he has bestowed upon me, I might bring about this book for many of my admirers, which is based on he Word of God, and presented in Artistic-Calligraphy. I have been very ambitious and had deeply desired as a sole wish to bring about this book and I am glad God has made it possible through the help, support and guidance of many friends. It is my tribute and gratitude to God the Creator, and His Son Jesus, the Saviour, for his blessings and outpouring of his inspirational spirit. This is my way of bearing witness to His love.
My heart is always filled with God’s love and for gratitude. I always ponder upon his many works of art and bough before him with my humble offering.
I look up at your heavens, made by your fingers,
At the moon and stars you set in place-
Ah, what is man that should spare a thought for him,
the son of man that you should care for him?
Yet you made him little less than a god,
You have crowned him with glory and splendour,
Thou hast given him dominion over the works of thy hands;
