Karim Jabbari reimagines vanishing cultural landscapes at Inloco Gallery

Inloco Gallery is currently presenting Vertical Horizon/361 Degrees, a solo exhibition by Karim Jabbari (Jan. 29-May 30).

- Muhammad Yusuf

The show is the final chapter of a three-part artistic exploration of lost tradition and urban nostalgia themes in contemporary Dubai's public space. Through immersive calligraphy-based artworks, light installations and photography, Jabbari examines the intersection of heritage and modernity, inviting viewers to engage with Arabic script as a dynamic vessel of memory and transformation.

The title 'Vertical Horizon/361 Degrees' hints at the contemporary human condition of two opposing operatives, one verticality that firmly roots people in their cultural heritage, and the second offering a wide 361 degree perspective that keeps them alert to the perpetual transformations around them. In addition to photographs of light calligraphy, the main part of the exhibition consists of handwritten calligraphic works inspired by classical and contemporary poetry.

Born in Tunisia and shaped by the experience of global migration, the artist discovered his heritage through an old library of ancient Arab manuscripts preserved by his father. The manuscripts became the foundation for his calligraphy practice and an essential self-identification tool, connecting him to his roots and inspiring his artistic journey. Jabbari does not confine himself to a single calligraphic technique, but employs a variety of artistic approaches to convey his conceptual vision. He explores layering in his work, superimposing manuscripts or elevating individual lines above the surface, evoking the presence of an archaeological artifact.