Soraya Syed Sanders was born on 1976 and is an English classically trained Islamic calligrapher and artist.
14 Facts About Soraya Syed
1.
2.
Soraya Syed uses classical Arabic calligraphy with new technologies such as holography, placing a traditional art-form into contemporary context.
3.
Soraya Syed's Muslim father, who was born in Kenya and whose family originated from Pakistan, came to live and work in the UK in the 1960s.
4.
From a young age, Soraya Syed was shown the collections of European art in the museums of Paris by her French grandfather.
5.
Soraya Syed would encourage her to memorise the names of past artists, rewarding her with 10 francs for each one that she recalled.
6.
In 2001, Soraya Syed graduated from the Masters programme in Visual Islamic and Traditional Arts at The Prince's School, London.
7.
Soraya Syed studied Arabic calligraphy in Alexandria, Egypt during a year abroad in the second year of her degree program.
8.
In Istanbul, Soraya Syed learnt from different calligraphers whose craft had been passed down from teacher to student throughout the centuries.
9.
Soraya Syed's solo show, entitled Hurriyah or 'Freedom' at Leighton House Museum in London in 2013, received support from the Arts Council England.
10.
Soraya Syed created a mobile phone app called Nuqta, which creates a social-led archive of Arabic calligraphy.
11.
Soraya Syed produced a holographic and 3D digital installation entitled Pen and the Sword in response to a commission by Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bradford, as part of their Bradford Museums and Galleries International Art Collection, 2015.
12.
Soraya Syed's work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions as well as live calligraphy performances.
13.
Soraya Syed's work was featured in the film Journey to Mecca.
14.
Soraya Syed moved to London in 2006 and lives with her husband and children there.