Tagalsir Hassan (Taj) is a Sudanese Calligrapher, Painter, & Graphic Designer celebrated for merging classical Arabic calligraphy with contemporary visual design. With over four decades of expertise, Taj has played a pivotal role in shaping the calligraphy and design landscape of the UAE and the broader Arab world.

Born with a passion for Arabic script, Taj earned his Bachelor of Arts with distinction from the College of Fine and Applied Arts in Khartoum (1977), followed by a Master’s degree in Graphic Design from the Central School of Art and Design in London (1983). His deep knowledge and refined techniques have established him as one of the most respected calligraphers in the region.

Since 1988, Taj has been based in the United Arab Emirates, contributing significantly to the country’s cultural and artistic development. He currently serves as an Editor at the Directorate of Culture in Sharjah and has previously held key roles at the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Community Development in Dubai, the Ministry of Education, and Al Bayan Printing and Publishing.

His art has been featured in prominent venues such as the Cultural Foundation (Abu Dhabi), the Saadiyat Cultural District, the Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, the University of Sharjah, Al Majlis Gallery, Green Art Gallery (Dubai), & others. His work is represented in prestigious public and private collections across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and beyond.

Solo Exhibitions

  • "The First Exhibition" – Hilton Hotel, Dubai, 1998

  • "Jawhar Assowar" – National Theatre Hall, Abu Dhabi Culture & Heritage Authority, Abu Dhabi, 2011

  • "Jawhar Assowar" – The Cultural & Scientific Association, Dubai, 2011

  • "Versatile" – College of Fine Arts & Design, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 2013

  • "Entwined" – Joint Exhibition with Dr. Najat Makki, Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, Dubai, 2015

  • "Versatile Letters" – Sharjah Calligraphy Museum, Sharjah, 2018

  • "Written Jewels" – Joint Exhibition with Marwan Aridi, Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, Dubai, April 2025

  • "Circles of Light" – Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, Dubai, September 2025

Awards & Honors

  • 17 awards in Arabic Calligraphy & Hurufiyya from UAE & Turkey.

  • Honored by Emirates Fine Arts Society, 14th edition, Sharjah, UAE.

  • Special recognition from Hroof Arabiya Magazine, Issue no. 38, Dubai, UAE, 2015.

  • Honored at Cairo International Forum for Arabic Calligraphy, Egypt, 2016.

  • Honored at Sheikha Dr. Suad Al-Sabah Arabic Calligraphy Forum, Kuwait, 2018.

  • Honored at Al-Azhar Al-Sharief Forum for Arabic Calligraphy, Egypt, 2022.

Memberships & Contributions

  • Co-founder & Former Executive Editor, Hroof Arabiya – the only quarterly magazine dedicated to Arabic calligraphy, published in Dubai since 2000.

  • Member in establishing Arabic calligraphy events in Sharjah & Dubai since 1990.

  • Member of the Preparatory Committee for the Sharjah Calligraphy Biennial since 2000.

  • Member of the Emirates Fine Arts Society, Sharjah

  • Member of the Emirates Society for Arabic Calligraphy & Islamic Ornamentation, Sharjah.

  • Member of the Sudanese Union of Visual Artists, Sudan.

  • Jury Member for Fine Art & Arabic Calligraphy competitions in the UAE, Bahrain, Oman.

  • Participant in international exhibitions, seminars, & workshops across Sudan, UK, UAE, KSA, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, India, Denmark, & Germany.