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

 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.
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
usuall
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 16 th
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.
Omar Khayyam
Herewith a Loaf of Bread
Omar Khayyam
Herewith A Loaf of Bread
Omar Khayyam -
Herewith a Loaf of Bread
Omar Khayyam -
Herewith a Loaf of Bread
Omar Khayyam -
Herewith a Loaf of Bread
Omar Khayyam -
Herewith a Load of Bread
Omar Khayyam -
Herewith a Loaf of Bread
Omar Khayyam -
Moving Finger
William Blake
William Blake
William Blake
Persian Love Lyric
Persian Love Lyric
Persian Love Lyric
Persian Love Lyric
Persian Love Lyric
Corinthians
Corinthians
Corinthians
Kahlil Gibran - Children
Kahlil Gibran - Children
Kahlil Gibran - Children
Kahlil Gibran - Children
Ecclesiastes
 Omar Khayyam –
Herewith a Loaf of Bread
Omar Khayyam – Herewith a Loaf of
Bread
Japanese Haiku - an
experimental piece