THE SIXTH ODE

This is one of a group of seven paintings that celebrates 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 clot hand 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.

With the full 85 (bayt) poetry lines by the pre-Islamic warrior-poet Anter Ibne Shaddad, who was famous for both his romantic story with Ablah and his fairness and strict war ethics. Such as not to start aggression neither to fight who is less capable neither go for he who is already down or loot him after his death.

Original name (Arabic): المعلقة السادسة
Original production date: 1993
Artwork Size: 250cm x 225cm
Materials: Acrylic and ink on paper mounted on canvas
Location of Original: Sold at auction to Private Collector

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ALIF SUCOON

With eight lines of the poem by Muaan Ibn Aws. The verses describe the poet’s stand for honour, rejecting and condemning corruption and social decay.

This is one of a series of four Musical Alifs each with different short vowels, the others being Alif Kesrah, Alif Fethah, and Alif Dhammah, the respective sounds given to the letter by the short vowels are i, a and u, the succoon of the Alif Succoon meaning silence. Thus the artist engages with the expression of the poem, using form, colour, texture, and sound, by using the four vowels of the Alif in its four degrees from low to high.

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TUGHRA

This vibrant piece contains the verse from the learned philosopher-poet Abul Ala Al Ma’arri, in which he says:

“When I utter the implausible, I can shout it out loud without fear or favour, but when I speak of the truth I have to whisper”

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HARF UL DAL

This piece is about the power of the single stroke technique which Ali Omar Ermes employs as a hallmark of a number of his works.

It explores the vast richness of the Arabic language and the magnitude of the depth of expression in Arabic with the simplest and most direct method or as complicated as you wish.

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