Upcoming Events
Upcoming Exhibition of The Filigree of the Pen in Melbourne
A contemporary exhibition of Persian calligraphy featuring selected works from The Filigree of the Penproject by Musa Zakizada.
The exhibition presents contemporary interpretations of Nastaliq and Shekasteh Nastaliq calligraphy alongside selected Afghan miniature artworks.
📍 Mernda Village Community Centre
📅 Saturday 7 June 2026
🕑 2pm–5pm
🎟 Free Entry
About the Artist
Musa Zakizada is an Afghan-born calligrapher, filmmaker, and cultural producer based in Victoria, Australia. Working primarily in Nastaliq and Shekasteh Nastaliq scripts, his practice explores the relationship between classical calligraphy and contemporary poetic expression.
His ongoing project, The Filigree of the Pen, brings together contemporary poetry from Afghanistan and the broader Persian-speaking world through original calligraphic compositions created on handmade and burnished papers, often accompanied by illumination elements inspired by traditional manuscript arts.
Alongside his visual art practice, Zakizada has worked in film, photography, and multicultural community arts initiatives, with a focus on cultural dialogue, migration, memory, and artistic continuity across diaspora communities.
Community Workshops and Cultural Programs – The Filigree of the Pen
As part of the development of The Filigree of the Pen, a series of community-based workshops and cultural programs will be delivered across Melbourne.
These sessions will introduce participants to the fundamentals of Persian calligraphy, including the aesthetics of Nastaliq script and traditional materials and techniques. The workshops are designed for diverse audiences and aim to create an inclusive space for cultural learning and artistic engagement.
In addition to practical sessions, selected programs will include presentations on the cultural and literary background of the project, highlighting the role of poetry and calligraphy in Persian artistic heritage.
Through collaboration with local councils, libraries, and community organisations, these programs seek to encourage participation from culturally diverse communities and support meaningful cultural exchange.
The workshops will be delivered in accessible community venues, with further information to be shared in the coming weeks.
Successful Launch Event of The Filigree of the Pen in Melbourne
Melbourne, 4 April 2026 — The introductory event for The Filigree of the Pen, a contemporary Persian calligraphy project by artist Musa Zakizada, was successfully held in Melbourne, bringing together members of the Afghan and broader multicultural community.
The event marked an important milestone in the development of the project, presenting a curated selection of original calligraphic works inspired by contemporary Persian poetry. The artworks, created using traditional techniques on ahar-o-mohre (polished paper), were displayed in an intimate exhibition setting, allowing visitors to closely engage with the details and craftsmanship of each piece.
The program featured an artist talk introducing the concept and vision behind The Filigree of the Pen, highlighting its focus on connecting classical Persian calligraphy with contemporary voices from Afghanistan and Tajikistan. The presentation was accompanied by documentation of the creative process, offering insight into the artistic journey behind the works.
The event was warmly received, with strong attendance from artists, community members, and cultural practitioners. Guests engaged in thoughtful discussions, viewed the artworks, and participated in conversations around cultural identity, migration, and artistic expression within the diaspora.
Media documentation and interviews conducted during the event further reflected the growing interest in the project and its potential to contribute to multicultural artistic dialogue in Australia.
This successful gathering sets the stage for future exhibitions, workshops, and broader public programs to be delivered as part of The Filigree of the Pen.
