Abu Yahya Artist in Residence

An opportunity to get creative and try your hand at Arabic calligraphy, under guidance of our artist-in-residence Abu Yahya. 

Come and meet Abu Yahya in the Drawing Room of Wardown House Museum & Gallery on 29th August and 11th, 12th, 16th and 26th September from 11am to 3pm. He will be showcasing his Arabic Calligraphy skills, and new ways of skilfully creating works of art from the beautiful flow of calligraphy. Visitors can ask questions and interact with Abu and learn more about his craft.

During his residency at Wardown House Museum & Gallery Abu Yahya will create a new body of work by taking inspiration from the house, culminating in an exhibition in October 2024.

Biography

Abu Yahya (real name Tariq Mehmood) is a British-Kashmiri artist born and raised in Kashmir. After graduating in Pakistan, Abu Yahya moved to England to further studies.

Abu Yahya is a self-taught artist working in Arabic Calligraphy. He has his own unique style by using modern techniques in calligraphy and fusing this with abstract art and cubism.

His previous exhibition ‘The Journey of Light’ featured on BBC News.

During COVID, Abu Yahya’s work was exhibited on various platforms as virtual exhibitions. He is also part of the British Council team to promote the Arabic language in England. 

Living in the UK, Abu Yahya’s passion is to introduce the beauty of Arabic Calligraphy to new audiences.

Abu Yahya displayed his work in Belfast, Northern-Ireland, during Arabic Language Celebration Week and more recently his work was shown in Newcastle for the Qatar Foundation where he delivered workshops at schools.