Dubai-based Syrian artists, Maher A. Housn and Cumai A. Housn began their artistic journey by working on the restoration of ancient houses in Damascus using traditional materials and techniques. But today, they are pushing the boundaries of art by using the latest technology and new materials to express their creativity.
The two cousins use various printing technologies to create unique works of art that are displayed in the Mozaiic Art Gallery in Souk Al Bahar, Dubai. Establishing the gallery was a long held dream that the artists fulfilled last year. They celebrated their gallery’s first anniversary by creating “A La Steel” — a collection of original calligraphic, abstract and figurative works printed on steel.
The two artists have been working in the advertising industry since moving to the UAE over two decades ago, while also creating art in their spare time. Cumai Housn specialises in cinematography and animation, and is interested in exploring the potential of digital art. Maher Housn worked as a graphic designer and art director, but kept his passion for Arabic calligraphy alive by training with master calligraphers, and doing extensive research to develop his own style.
“Working on the ancient houses in Damascus was a rich journey, full of discovery and spiritual experience. Not only did we learn about traditional colours, materials and techniques, but we were also able to connect with the spirit of the city and the souls of the masters who created those masterpieces. The most important thing we learnt was to pay attention to detail,” Maher Housn says.
“But as artists we always want to do something new and to use the latest tools of our times. Hence we decided that we will specialise in printing art. We use various types of printing techniques, such as digital, screen printing, etching and photography, to create our artworks, and we want to experiment with all kinds of materials, such as wood, metal, canvas, paper, stone and steel. Besides showcasing our own work in our gallery, we are constantly looking for other artists from around the world who share our vision and are trying to do something different using the medium of printing,” he adds.
As can be seen in the “A La Steel” collection, the two artists have very different styles and themes. Maher Housn does calligraphic works in his signature style, which blends classic Islamic calligraphy with a contemporary look and feel. In his compositions, meaningful words, and verses from the writings of well-known Arab poets are skilfully arranged to form different shapes that convey his thoughts, emotions and ideas. The vivid colours on the shiny steel enhance the impact of the artworks.
“I love Arabic calligraphy because the letters are so flexible offering infinite potential for creativity. Similarly, this new medium of print provides great scope for playing with textures, thickness and materials to effectively translate my imagination,” he says.
Elaborating on the choice of medium for this collection, he says, “Only few discoveries have had such momentous impact on the history of mankind as the discovery of steel and of printing. Steel took on a predominant place in the fabrication of weapons and armour, thereby becoming a symbol of power and strength. Printing on the other hand ushered in the era of enlightenment, by facilitating the spread of knowledge, culture and ideas. In our collection steel meets print and the cold, hard metal surface is moved, moulded and heated by colours and shapes in a unique and breathtaking dialogue.”
Cumai Housn’s work includes figurative and abstract compositions. The horse is a recurring motif in his vibrant, colourful, textured creations. In other works he has used the square Koufi calligraphic script in such a way that the outlines of the letters form a frame for a collage of various visual elements, such as doors and windows. Many of his paintings in this collection are from the “Women’s dreams” series that he has been working on for some time.
“I believe we are witnessing a new age of art that can be called the ‘Graphic Renaissance’, and I can see digital art leading the way in the coming decades. One can feel the change in the perception of art, especially among the younger generation, and artists must respond creatively to these changes by using modern tools and techniques that give us more freedom and a wider space to fly higher and discover a new universe,” he says.
“Using the metal canvas was a challenging experience, especially since it has never been done before. Anticipating how the colours will perform over the new medium was not easy, but the results were beyond my expectations. This is such a rich surface with endless possibilities. While cotton canvas and paper seem to be too soft and peaceful for our times, steel offers a strong and bold character, giving us the opportunity to face the violence surrounding us by pounding the ruthlessness with colours and shapes.”
Speaking about his series on women’s dreams, he says, “It has taken me more than 40 years to begin understanding women and discovering the world from their perspective. I wish this had happened earlier in my life. In this series I am trying to explore several aspects of the relationship between man and woman, but I have to admit that I have more questions than answers.”
Since their artworks are created specifically for printing, each is an original print in a limited edition, and comes signed and certified by the artists. The artworks on steel are produced in editions of only five pieces with prices starting at Dh3,000 for the smaller works. Other original artworks available at the gallery include works by the Housns and other artists printed on paper and canvas, etchings and photographic works. With prices starting at Dh210, these affordable original works of art make excellent gifts for the festive season.
“We have introduced in Dubai the concept of the high street gallery, where fine art experience is integrated into the daily life of residents. Our vision is to use the best materials and technology to create innovative works of print art, and we will continue to push the limits of this medium by experimenting with new materials and latest technologies,” Maher Housn says.
Jyoti Kalsi is an arts enthusiast based in Dubai.
The “A La Steel” collection can be viewed at Mozaiic Art Gallery, Souk al Bahar, Dubai Mall.
