Al-Ejazeh test sheet: Naskh, Ruqaa, Thuluth, Deewani (Sura 1 & 112), ink on paperIMAN and the Levantine Center present a rare lecture by Dr. Huda Totonji, the master calligrapher, artist, researcher, and educator who explores the use of text and image in a variety of visual methods through the use of Islamic Calligraphy.

She will introduce traditional and non-traditional calligraphy styles, such as Al Naskh, Al Ruqa, Al Deewani, Al Farsi, and Al Thuluth manuscripts.


calligraphy writing toolsA native of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Totonji will also share various artworks by contemporary Muslim calligraphers. Huda Totonji will take the viewer into a visual tour around various parts of the world to show samples of Islamic art in architecture and paintings that consist of Arabic calligraphy and floral and geometrical ornamentation. The presentation will discuss the origins of Arabic calligraphy from ancient to modern Arabic writing systems. This inspirational artist talk strives to demonstrate the beauties of the East and the West through a universal language. The language of the soul is an artistic expression of the Arabian culture through word and imagery. Those interested will be invited to participate in a hands-on demonstration. Visit her site.

RSVPs are strongly suggested as seating is limited. Call the Levantine Cultural Center, 310.657.5511.

The international Muslimah Artists Network: visit imanworld.orgThe International Muslimah Artists Network, IMAN, is an international organization created by and for Muslim women artists, dedicated to expanding opportunities and exposure to Muslim women in the arts. IMAN includes visual, performing, media artists, writers and poets and serves as a hub for community information and interaction. The aim of IMAN is to empower, inspire and respect each other's individual way of expressing ourselves and our faith through art.

IMAN is committed to celebrating our diverse cultural backgrounds, promote pluralism, build bridges and challenge stereotypes about Muslim women. Through our website, we strive to provide our members with exposure, support, resources, networking, exhibition opportunities and collaborative effort with community and art institutions.

God Wishes Ease for You: by Huda Totonji, visit huda-art.comArtist Biography

Dr. Huda Totonji was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Art Studio and her Masters of Fine Art (MFA) Degree in Art and Visual Technology from George Mason University. She gained her Islamic Calligraphy Masters Certificate (Ijazah) from Jordan. She also has a PhD degree in Fine Art from Ireland. Her PhD dissertation explored the integration of text and image researching Islamic Calligraphy, Female Subjectivity, and Art and Science.

She currently works at Georgetown University and the Art Institute of Washington. Dr. Totonji's multi-media and eclectic art practice reflects her often existence in two cultural traditions; one of the east, and the other of the west. Being able to combine both the Eastern and Western ideology has been a constant interest in Dr. Totonji's artistic approach. Dr. Totonji's artwork investigates issues and questions about femininity and visual representation. Having travelled to twenty eight countries around the world, along with her academic and professional experience from the Middle East and the West has contributed to her ability to communicate with different age groups, faiths, and nationalities.

Dr. Huda was also selected among the 300 Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow from 75 countries, at the Muslim Leaders of Tomorrow 2009 Conference in Doha, Qatar. She participated in more than 60 exhibitions. She also had her work featured in the critically acclaimed PBS documentary entitled, "Mohammed, Legacy of the Prophet." Most recently, her artwork was exhibited in the United Nations in NY and in Johns Hopkins University. As an invited artist, Totonji has spoken in several universities such as, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Howard University, Montgomery College, Oregon State University, Portland State University, Kansas State University, Penn State University, University of Pennsylvania, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Texas A&M University, and in Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia.

Artist Statement

My artwork is a document of an often contradictory existence in two cultures-the one of my birth and childhood and the other of my coming of age and education. The many challenges of being a Muslim woman in the western culture have become sites for my artistic exploration as they are urgently faced in the day to day molding of my artistic approaches. It is no accident that I have one foot in so many disciplines. I choose to bounce between image and text; and refuse to be pinned down in a single category. Beginning from interests in both painting and in Arabic calligraphy, I have become increasingly interested in the relationship between textuality and visuality, both aesthetically and culturally. As a female artist, I establish a vocabulary through image and text. In my PhD dissertation, I explored the integration of text and image researching Islamic Calligraphy, Female Subjectivity, and Art and Science.