IMPERATIVES OF THE LETTER LAM

The central motif of this work is the Arabic letter Laam, displaying the powerful presence of this character which is found in words such as Lawiah, Lawhat, and Labeeb.

Poetic excerpts within this piece are by Tarafah and articulate the idea that in time we all learn through experience and that nothing can be hidden forever:

“In time, day and night, all will be revealed to you of what you do not now know, and in time someone will come with news to all who are without it.”

Another saying from traditional Arabic poetry highlights:

“Be assured that days – or a lifetime – are the same as borrowed; therefore, if you can do a good deed or favour, quickly seize the opportunity.”

Original name (Arabic): لزوميَات الَلام
Original production date: 2009
Artwork Size: 154cm x 150cm
Materials: Acrylic on paper, mounted on canvas
Location of Original: Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah, UAE

THE SEVENTH ODE

The Seventh Ode is one of a group of seven paintings that celebrate the Seven Odes of Arabic poetry, Al Muallaqat As Sabaa or Prize Poems, which enjoy a special place in Arabic literature due to their power of eloquence and historic relevance.

When a poem was judged to be exceptional, it was embroidered in gold on silk cloth and hung on the Kaaba as a sign of general acclaim. Over the years, the Prize Poems which were thus hung at the Kaaba assumed a universal context and appeal.

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KAF - THE POWER OF EXPRESSION

The work of the Libyan artist, Ali Omar Ermes, Letter Kaf: The Power of Expression, represents a dramatic departure in its scale, treatment, and intent. Measuring 130 cm x 95 cm, the painting is dominated by the form of a single letter of the Arabic alphabet, the letter ‘kaf’ or ‘k’, created with one continuous brush stroke.

The composition, which reads more as an undulating abstraction than an actual letter, is notable for its boldness and spontaneity.

While evoking the fluidity of Chinese and Japanese calligraphy, the single letter, monumentalised and stripped to its most essential form, also echoes the expressiveness of the ‘New Style’ script discussed earlier.

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TUGHRAIYAT EBNI ZUHAIR

This painting comprises of visible brush strokes in prominent yellows, greens, and blues.

Poems by the poet Kaab Ebni Zuhair. The poems can be interpreted as follows:

“Ask protection from God not to suffer hardship or to do what is wrong or shameful, otherwise, you are a loser who is either a criminal or a victim of crime.”

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Clients

A selected number of artworks by Ali Omar Ermes have been acquired by public/private collectors, individuals and corporations. Below are some of his clients that own a piece of his work:

The British Museum

10 Downing Street

Mobil

Merrill Lynch

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology

Freer Sackler

Wereld Museum

Investcorp

LACMA | Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Contemporary Art from the Islamic World

Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts

Barjeel Art Foundation

Meem Gallery

Written Art Foundation

Arab Heritage Gallery

Rose Issa Projects

Egee Art Consultancy

Saudi Aramco

BP

Jaeger-LeCoultre

Malaysia Airlines

Smithsonian National Museum of African Art

Riyadh King Khalid International Airport

Prince's Trust

Arab Banking Corporation

Maybank

USA Embassy

Japan Bank for International Corporation

Balai Seni Lukis Negara - National Art Gallery Malaysia

Uniteers Outdoor Advertising

United Engineers Malaysia

Beit Al Quran

Centre of Islamic Culture

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES

A number of museums and galleries have exhibited artwork by Ali Omar Ermes from all over the world. Much of his artwork has been displayed in some of the most important museums including Tate Gallery, The State Hermitage Museum and many others: