Everything is a
Canvas
Written: Madeleine O. Teh
Web Design & Development: Amera Ibrahim
Ar-Rahman
ٱلْرَّحِيْمُ
ٱلْرَّحْمَـانُ
The Merciful
Aadil is an artist and creative director born in London and based in LA.
He believes the beauty of calligraphy transcends faith, ideology, and culture to nurture flourishing communities. His contemporary and deconstructed approach to the tradition brings different scripts to life — on and off the canvas.
Throughout his decade-long career, Aadil has crafted one-of-a-kind commissioned paintings and partnered with global brands such as Disney, Meta, and Google to bring calligraphy to all corners of the globe. He also launched exclusive clothing and accessory lines with Rastah and NOMINAL.
Now, Aadil reflects on his career and global background, and looks toward his next steps. Read the full interview below:
MT: How did you get started as an artist? What was your early career like?
Art started as a hobby while I was pursuing a career in television production. But, then life just happened. My art just kept getting more attention. Maybe, I should pursue art and see if it was something I could build a life out of.
Calligraphy was brought to my attention after other people saw my work. My earlier works were more abstract. I used to make floral patterns, shapes, and designs.
A family friend saw a piece and said,
“Oh that looks like calligraphy.”
Are we allowed to change the script artistically?
Growing up, I only saw calligraphy in one traditional format. I thought, “Are we allowed to change the script, artistically? Will people be able to see calligraphy outside of Islam and outside of the Quran?”
MT: You’re known to have a distinct style, one that combines traditional Arabic calligraphy with more contemporary flourishes. What was the process of creating your voice as an artist?
My goal was to showcase the script in a more modern interpretation. Artistically, I could change things around a bit. I still give the text and its history respect.
The Foundation of the Piece is the Verse
The word could be written in there somewhere, but I would use other letters and punctuation to create a more detailed, fuller design. The word could be written in there somewhere, but I would use other letters and punctuation to create a more detailed, fuller design.
“Arabic is so malleable, the freedom it gives artists like me is so gratifying.”
My Paintings are Conversation Starters
I have a new approach, which resonates with our generation. For example, business and professional people may want spiritual work with a deeper meaning in their homes. My paintings are conversation starters that stand alone in this wider, cosmopolitan world.
People gravitate more toward my cursive and arabesque work. But then, I also tried more mid-century and gothic styles. I merge calligraphy with themes and concepts that you probably wouldn’t necessarily associate with traditional calligraphy.
MT: You’ve lived all over the world and your practice brought you to different countries. How has your global experiences influenced your work?
It took a few years of exhibiting in the Middle East and trying in London. Things picked up for me when I moved to America, first in Washington D.C. and then Los Angeles. I honed in on the way I showcase my work online, from producing videos to collaborating with different brands.
I also branched out to different scripts. I’ve done projects in Hindi, Sanskrit, Telugu, and Tamil. My initial work in Arabic gave me the confidence to delve into other scripts.
Aadil works on a client piece featuring different scripts, such as Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), and Hangul.
Haf and Haf collaborated with Aadil on these hand-painted luggages.
Radhi Devlukia with a commissioned piece from Aadil.
“We are all but canvases to the art called fashion”
People from different backgrounds appreciate calligraphy as a design motif, which can be translated into different mediums, products, and industries. In the last three years, I collaborated with Apple and Disney. I’ve also hosted workshops and talks in Google and Meta. I’ve done amazing stuff I never thought I’d do.
I’m at this point in my career where — Alhamdulillah — I built this small following. When I started painting in my little garage in England many years ago, I never thought I’d build a small following of 100,000 and sell my work across the world. I’m very grateful God continues to inspire me and I can carry on through Him.
MT: The nature of your work is very personal since it focuses on themes like faith and culture. How do you translate a client’s personal experiences onto the canvas?
It always starts with the initial phone call. The client and I go over themes, and the overall composition.
“Every blank canvas is a chance to do something new. It’s a very cyclical process.”
- Aadil Abedi
Trials and Tribulations in Life
I get clients who’ve gone through trials and tribulations in life. They share with me verses, poetry, or anything that has meant a lot to them. I’ve also done work in honor of those who passed. I turn what the client shares with me into a piece of art and it becomes a part of their safe space.
MT: What’s your personal spiritual practice like?
My connection to God, especially when I moved from country to country, city to city, was the only thing that kept me level-headed. I’m away from all my loved ones and family, yet I feel safe.
My friends back home always joke about me working with calligraphy and Arabic. None of us expected it! But, I’m so blessed I get to do Allah’s (SWT) work.
The Prophet Series
Right now, I balance client-based work with some personal projects, where I channel that spirituality. In the Prophet series, I made paintings based on verses from the books of Ibrahim (A.S.), Nuh (A.S.), Idris (A.S.), Yusuf (A.S.) and Adam (A.S.). I just wanted to learn more about these prophets. This project forced me to sit down and really reflect on the verses.
Love, Compassion Towards God and Higher Power
In this world we’re living in, not everyone is open to talking about God. Some people even think religion is divisive. I’m not sitting here being holier than thou, or preaching to anybody. My work is all based on themes of love and compassion towards God and a higher power.
If my artwork could provide a little bit of that grounding, like it’s done for me, then I’m happy to partake in that conversation.
MT: Last question. How would you describe your work in one word?
Inclusive.
I want people from
different backgrounds & walks of life
to enjoy my work.
Calligraphy is for everyone.
Inclusive. I want people from different backgrounds and walks of life to enjoy my work — whether in their homes or as part of larger initiatives and campaigns. The beauty of calligraphy is for everyone.
