Heritage Open Day: Arabic Calligraphy with Razwan Ul-Haq

Razwan Ul-Haq is a QEST Alumni (Royal Warrant Holders Association) and a widely exhibited Artist whose work has been displayed in many galleries and museums in England and internationally in the Arab world. He was England’s Maker of the Year finalist in 2025. He specializes in using traditional materials and methods in contemporary ways. He is a visiting lecturer of Islamic Art at Cheltenham Ladies College and Ullswater College and regularly delivers Arabic Calligraphy workshops and talks. His commissions include work for and Land Art for the Tour de France, the British Library, the late Queen Elizabeth and the internationally renowned Van Gogh Immersive Exhibition. His work has appeared in various platforms including Channel 4, BBC Radio 4, The Times, ITV, and USA Today and in the Arab world.

Razwan will talk about how he made nine pigments from Bradford, from rivers, to buildings and even the football ground. Razwan will also talk on the diverse ways inks were made for traditional Arabic Calligraphy and how this has fed into his project.
Followed by a hands on Nastaliq Arabic Calligraphy workshop, using bamboo pens and one of the hand ground inks sourced from Bradford. The workshop is suitable for absolute beginners as well as those who know Arabic. (Help will be available!)
For adults and children over 11 (who will need to be accompanied by an adult).
All materials provided and you are welcome to bring along a sketch book.