The Sixth Ode

Using a unique combination of calligraphy and script, Libyan artist Ali Omar Ermes seeks to present Arabic literature in visual artistic forms to honour it and share it with a wider audience.

The Sixth Ode celebrates one of the most treasured poems of the renowned 6th century pre-Islamic poet, Antra bin Shaddad, known for his outstanding eloquence and courage. It is the sixth of seven poems written by different poets and known as the Mu'allaqat or 'Hanging Poems'. These poems are widely regarded as the most beautiful poems in ancient Arabic history.

Ermes highlights the Arabic letters 'kaf', 'lam', 'meem' and 'noon' by painting them in large traditional calligraphic forms in red at the centre of the artwork. The full poem of over 90 lines is handwritten and divided into 9 smaller pieces that float in harmony around the large red letterforms. The yellow background mimics the vast Arabian desert that has inspired regional poets and artists for many centuries. There is a sense of vigorous energy and epic enthusiasm in this work, as Ermes uses overlapping brushstrokes, splashes of colour and lines gliding in different directions to create a dynamic abstract landscape reminiscent of Antra's epic poetry.