Generosity is giving more than you can 

Editor: Hassan Massoudy's "Generosity is giving more than you can," seems to be a drawing made with ink. The swirling shapes and the elegant lines give it such a dynamic yet calming energy. It reminds me of traditional calligraphy, but in a very abstract way. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Considering its social role, I see this drawing as a powerful example of contemporary Islamic art engaging with tradition. Massoudy's work resides in a complicated socio-political landscape, where calligraphy has historically been revered but also subject to shifts in cultural significance. The art world’s relationship to this historical form is also worth analyzing. Do you think the artwork fits into the western contemporary art canon? Editor: That's a great question. While it's visually stunning, I'm not sure if Western audiences fully grasp the cultural significance of calligraphy. The writing is abstracted so the Western perspective is less about a religious practice. Instead they focus on a style of art. Maybe it sits somewhat outside of that traditional canon, or broadens the canon. It is not like someone creating calligraphy directly within a temple, but someone responding to that with abstraction. Curator: Exactly. The art market and museum structures in the West often frame Islamic art through a lens of exoticism or historical artifact, rather than contemporary expression. Massoudy is playing with this dynamic, creating works that appeal to a global audience while subtly challenging these preconceived notions. His work reclaims an aesthetic voice from a marginalized part of the world. This, in turn, invites new voices and allows new perspectives on Western notions of ‘good’ art. Editor: So it's really about understanding the art's position within these larger systems of art history, cultural value, and even political power. Curator: Precisely. It highlights the critical need to decolonize art historical narratives and appreciate the complexities of cross-cultural artistic dialogue. The more traditional ways to classify something as Western Art is challenged. We need new narratives and understandings of modern Islamic artwork. Editor: I'll definitely look at calligraphy in a new light now. There’s more than just visual beauty! Curator: Indeed! Looking through the socio-political and historical lens helps appreciate its full richness.