Renowned artist Mouneer Al Shaarani is using his calligraphy art to inspire the people of Syria, who face daily turmoil in the war-torn country.

The master calligrapher, who has evolved the ancient Arabic tradition from its religious roots, is creating deeply intellectual work that reflects his interest in modern poetry and literature, alongside Christian and Sufi philosophy.

Al Shaarani's work, which has been exhibited in the Middle East, UK, U.S. and Europe, will soon be shown for the first time in Australia at Sydney's Mils Gallery, but the artist was refused a visa to attend the show.

Despite the upheaval in Syria, Al Shaarani has said he remains dedicated to his nation's fate. "The situation is very bad, but it's my country, I feel at this time, I must not leave it. Before, I was living outside, but now I feel I must stay, live and work in order to inspire," he told The National in a 2015 interview.

A selection of his work, which marries the art form's Middle Eastern heritage with contemporary ideas and shapes, is below.

The artist at work. Image: Mouneer Al Shaarani

It's as thought, since you left me, I am absent (Abo Tammam). Image: MOUNEER AL SHAARANI

Your Deeds are Your Rulers and You Are Ruled For What You Are. Image: Mouneer Al Shaarani

My hand almost dews if it touched her and, the green leaves sprout at its limbs. Image: Mouneer Al Shaarani

No Masters no Gods (Blanqui). Image: Mouneer Al Shaarani

Do not trust the moody. Image: Mouneer Al Shaarani

The light of the body is the eye. Image: Mouneer Al Shaarani

In firmness strength. Image: Mouneer Al Shaarani

It's as thought, since you left me, I am absent (Abo Tammam). Image: Mouneer Al Shaarani

For by the words thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou shall be condemned. Image: Mouneer Al Shaarani

Syria: the Sunni, top, Quaker, druze, atheist, sabi ', ishmael, Shia, secular, the legacy of the cab, now schori, Turkmen, Syriac, Arabic, Kurdish, yes democracy. Image: Mouneer Al Shaarani

By gilding, the stray had gone astray (Ibn Arabi). Image: Mouneer Al Shaarani

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