A show highlights the versatility of Arabic calligraphy, be it handwritten or digital.

Fifty works in a variety of styles, techniques and approaches are on display at Kalimat, an exhibition with the written Arabic word as its theme.

For centuries beautiful Arabic scripts have been used not only for communication but also art.

The 12 artists from the UAE, Oman, India, the United States and Australia who are participating in the show share a passion either for traditional calligraphy or a more contemporary approach towards presenting the written Arabic language. The works on display range from hand-painted calligraphy to digitally produced lettering.

The artists whose works are on show include Emirati photographer Hind Mazaina, Indian artist Khalilulah Chemnad and Omani artist Salman Al Hajiri.

The show has 17 works by Al Hajiri, including The Symbol of Peace, We Must Talk, Calm and Humble.

The artist, who has a masters degree in design from the UTS in Sydney and a bachelor's degree in art education, says he is drawn to earthy colours because they refer to the desert terrain of the land he comes from.

"I chose Arabic writing because of the flexible and attractive shapes that can be formed from them, he says. "I use a variety of media and techniques. I seek to empathise with viewers, capture their attention and lead them to the seen and unseen message my works carry."

Emirati lomography enthusiast Mazaina says her photography is driven by the aim to document the world.

"I am from Dubai and have seen it go through a lot of change. As this fast-evolving city is losing its old charm, I want to document aspects that are often overlooked. In future, this will remind others that life was simple here not so long ago. My aim is to capture these aspects before they disappear."

Mazaina uses cameras such as the LC-A, Diana, Holga and Polaroid. "The simplicity of these cameras gives me the freedom to concentrate on the subjects and emotions I want to capture. I love experimenting with techniques such as multiple-exposure and cross-processing because the results are always surprising - the mundane can get a fresh look," she says.

Mazaina's participation in the exhibition is limited to one image. "I submitted the image because it goes with the theme of the exhibition," she says. The image, More Rules for Girls, was taken outside a school for girls in Dubai. "I found it funny that such a big sign with basic instructions was placed outside the school. It made me wonder if there are similar signs outside boys' schools as well."

Chemnad is a man of many talents - he is a calligrapher, journalist, poet, cartoonist and a short-story writer. "I'm a person who lives, breathes and understands the language of art," he says.

Chemnad has made over 1,000 calligraphic works and logos but his favourite is a drawing of Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. "I made the drawing 13 years ago by using the letters of his name in Arabic. Since then, I have drawn pictures of many rulers and poets in the UAE, using the anatomic calligraphy method," says the artist whose works have been featured in several exhibitions around the world.

Asked how he discovered his talent, he says: "According to Pablo Picasso, every child is an artist [but] the problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. Every human being has a natural talent as an artist, singer, scientist or writer but the point is how to figure out the trait, work on it and make it our destiny."

Kalimat is on at the Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre until September 25.