The Heart

In this powerful piece (water-based pigments on paper), part of the Ithra art collection, the artist Hassan Massoudy (born Iraq, 1944, lives and works in Paris), isolates the word al-qalb (the heart), and brings it to life on paper. Similarly like the poet quoted —known for being one of the first poets to write in Arabic and abandon the old forms, meters and subjects of classical desert

poetry in favor of everyday urban life — Massoudy also leaves behind the rigid rules of classical calligraphy to create his own signature style that combines traditional and modern elements. What makes this piece even more interesting is the choice of a bold and unconventional dark color to represent the heart, perhaps reflecting how a heart can be darkened with dark feelings.