Modern Tughra

After completing his bachelor's studies in the early 1970s, the renowned Qatari artist, educator, and cultural advisor, Yousef Ahmad, began his professional artistic journey. Local and regional culture played an important role in shaping his artistic style, as he sought new ways to express his identity. His lifelong interest in Islamic calligraphy and Arabic script is demonstrated in his early works, which form part of Hurufiyya, a modern movement that uses Arabic letters in art. This artwork features a rich blue-green and teal background, evoking the sea and the Gulf’s natural landscape. Ahmad also drew inspiration from the Ottoman monogram, known as “Tughra”. The crescent moon, a recurring symbol in Ahmad’s work, appears throughout this composition in varying scales, reflecting his interest in abstract depictions of heritage.