Um Al Emarat

Client: UAE University, Zayed University and Higher Colleges of Technology
Year: 2019
Occasion: Ceremony for distinguished female graduates, 21 March 2019
Script: Nastaliq
Materials: Stainless steel and clear acrylic letters on natural Statuario marble
Concept and calligraphy: Narjes Noureddine
Execution: Bassem Zbeeb, architect

This artwork was presented to HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Mother of the Emirates, by UAE University, Zayed University and Higher Colleges of Technology at their 2019 ceremony for distinguished female graduates.

It carries a verse of tribute to Sheikha Fatima. The verse says that she has glories in history that rose high, and that she holds places in our hearts that have risen higher still.

لك في التاريخ أمــــجاد تسامت

ولك في قلوبنا  منـازل قد تعالت

The calligraphy is written in Nastaliq. The letters are made of stainless steel and clear acrylic and set against natural Statuario marble, so the dark lettering stands out against the white stone and its grey veins. The lines run diagonally across the marble, and the emblem of the Mother of the Emirates sits in gold above them. The work is held in a silver frame.