Dave Wood is an internationally acclaimed calligraphic artist with 40 years of experience in graphic design, typography, and calligraphy. He is a Fellow of the Society of Scribes and Illuminators, the highest accolade in calligraphy. Wood teaches calligraphy internationally and his works demonstrate his innovative 21st century approach. He opened the first calligraphy art gallery in Australia in 1994.

1. About Dave Wood Dave Wood combines his 40 years of experience as a graphic designer, typographer and world class calligrapher to expand calligraphy into a new and exciting dimension. His diverse creativity and expertise as a calligraphic artist have awarded him International acclaim. He is Fellow of the Society of Scribes and Illuminators in London, one of two Fellows in Australia, this being the highest accolade in the world for Calligraphy. Dave’s work has been acquired by Australian and international art collectors as well as the corporate sector. Dave teaches both nationally and internationally, most recently in the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, South Africa, Belgium, Holland and the United States of America. His works which are breathtaking in their execution and in the visual pleasure they exude and demonstrate his 21st century approach to the calligraphic idiom. His workshops are dynamic, exciting, challenging and very rewarding. The Dave Wood Calligraphy Art Gallery, which opened in 1994, in Surf Beach on the south coast of New South Wales was the first Calligraphy Art Gallery to be opened in Australia, devoted only to calligraphic artworks. Dave and Jan now live on the Sunshine Coast in S E Queensland, Australia and have their gallery open by appointment. These works can also be viewed on www.davewood.com.au

2. Origins of Calligraphy The development of calligraphy today had its origins in the book arts. The first type of books that were written were of course to record information of a very religious nature and as time went by, scribes could not help but decorate the letters and then eventually add illustrations to the text. Each part of civilized Europe had its own unique style of writing which allows you to identify in which country the manuscript was written. Numerous artisans were involved in making these books but today the scribe has to be accomplished in every aspect of creating the work. With the invention of letters which make words, which then make sentences and express ideas and thoughts, knowledge has been stored for centuries. Without writing there would be very little recorded knowledge.

3. Works on Vellum The following images will demonstrate how I have used the same text in many instances and created works of art which are all individually designed, using some contemporary ideas as well as the more traditional images based on Persian ideas, Japanese influences etc. I think it is important to note the subtle differences that can be achieved, so that each piece is an original work of art and yet similar in design and concept. Vellum is an animal skin, these days it is usually goat, calf or kangaroo skin. Vellum was used by the Scribes in medieval times for all their books until 16th century. In some instances I have used a similar design for a totally different text. All these choices are available to you, it is just a matter of using your imagination and skills. usuall

4. Omar Khayyam Herewith a Loaf of Bread

5. Omar Khayyam Herewith A Loaf of Bread

6. Omar Khayyam - Herewith a Loaf of Bread

7. Omar Khayyam - Herewith a Loaf of Bread

8. Omar Khayyam -Herewith a Loaf of Bread

9. Omar Khayyam - Herewith a Load of Bread

10. Omar Khayyam - Herewith a Loaf of Bread

11. Omar Khayyam - Moving Finger

12. William Blake

13. William Blake

14. William Blake

15. Persian Love Lyric

16. Persian Love Lyric

17. Persian Love Lyric

18. Persian Love Lyric

19. Persian Love Lyric

20. Corinthians

21. Corinthians

22. Corinthians

23. Kahlil Gibran - Children

24. Kahlil Gibran - Children

25. Kahlil Gibran - Children

26. Kahlil Gibran - Children

27. Ecclesiastes

28. Omar Khayyam – Herewith a Loaf of Bread

29. Omar Khayyam – Herewith a Loaf of Bread

30. Japanese Haiku - anexperimental piece