We are Waqas and Sameera, passionate Islamic artists who blend tradition with a modern touch. We made our mark in New Zealand as MW Calligraphy Art and are now excited to bring our unique artistic perspective as Noor Arts to Australia with our new art studio in Melbourne, Victoria. Noor Arts is our creative vision, born from our experiences as Islamic artists.
Noor Arts reflects the essence of our artistic vision. “Noor” means “light” in Arabic “نور”, symbolising enlightenment, creativity, and spiritual growth. For us, Noor Arts represents the illumination of beauty and understanding through Islamic art.
Our journey in Islamic art began in New Zealand, where we established ourselves as innovative and respected Islamic artists. Sameera uses mixed media and acrylics to craft exquisite backgrounds that complement the Arabic calligraphy pieces Waqas composes. Our artworks represent a unique fusion of contemporary aesthetics with the timeless beauty of traditional and modern Arabic calligraphy, showcasing our shared passion for both art forms that tell a unique story. We take commissions for fine art, murals, installations, and brand collaborations.
Our painting “51 – Love, Peace & Unity” was exhibited in New Zealand’s Parliament House and received national recognition in 2020. We have collaborated with New Zealand Post to compose the first ever Islamic representation of collectable stamps. We worked with Lake House art centre as Muslim artist ambassadors in 2023. And we collaborated with Ruth Robertson-Taylor on a mural titled ‘Weaving Hope’.
Arabic calligraphy, also called Visual Dhikr (“Dhikr” meaning to remember and reflect) often features Islamic verses that help people remember and be reminded of their religion and spirituality. It is an ancient artform that is meaningful not just for Muslim and Arabic cultures, but for anyone who appreciates the visual beauty of the words and the story behind them. Our traditional calligraphy has a bold and modern twist, effortless movement, a balance of composition, vivid colours and Sameera’s abstract backgrounds.
Arabic is one of the most ancient languages and has a deep significance for Muslims all over the world. With this deep-rooted history comes a wealth of fascinating scripts and patterns formulated by early Sufis and Calligraphers. Most of the wordings on our artworks are derived from the Quran and represent our attachment to our own faith. This fusion with our painting technique and colour choice creates a combination of modern and traditional art to make a powerful visual impact that is both unique and beautiful.