From a crayon wall to Sheikh Zayed in gold: Meet the 12-year-old calligrapher

Dubai: At the tender age of five, Nazmin began doodling a crayon masterpiece on her family's wall. Her mother, Sumayya Ashraf, allowed her to transform the scribbled wall into an imaginative world. This early artistic expression ignited Nazmin's passion for creation. Years later, the Ajman schoolgirl stood beside a calligraphy portrait of Sheikh Zayed at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, her first public performance of calligraphy.

At five years old, Nazmin had already competed in an art competition as the youngest participant, winning against older children. She discovered her love for calligraphy while painting Islamic architecture, drawn to the intricate patterns and Arabic writing. Nazmin took lessons from Liyakh Sir, a professional calligraphy artist in the UAE, who taught her the fundamentals and guided her progress.

Her favorite calligraphy styles are Diwani-inspired forms, admired for their flowing curves and movement. She also experiments with contemporary abstract lettering and plans to learn Thuluth next. Nazmin combines fine art and calligraphy, using acrylic paints, textured markers, and even gold leaf on large canvases. She finds consistency the most challenging aspect of calligraphy, requiring precise control and patience.

Inspired by artists like Vincent van Gogh and Mohammed Mandi, Nazmin finds peace in phrases like "Alhamdulillah" and "Wasbir ala ma asabak." For her, calligraphy is more than just beautiful letters; it brings her a sense of focus and tranquility. Nazmin paid tribute to Sheikh Zayed, the Father of the UAE, through a live calligraphy artwork at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair.