Gorgeous calligraphy canvas print by Nawaf Soliman as part of the Cities in the Heart exhibit. 

Numbered giclée on wood-stretched canvas

A person cannot hear, read, or write the word "homeland" without bringing about feelings of love and nostalgia, with his imagination wandering to places, times, memories, and good people. 

The Prince of Poets and poet laureate, Ahmad Shawqi, said a century ago: "Even if I am distracted from my homeland by immortal heaven, I will still yearn for homeland from immortal heaven". It is the homeland where you live; it embraces you with tenderness, and when you turn away from it willingly, it keeps its arms wide open, and if you are forced to leave it, it will live in and haunt you, and become even sweeter."

Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish says: "My country is not a suitcase, and I am not a traveler." 

The homeland does not travel: We may forget it at some point, but it remains in our hearts.

The calligraphy painting here represents the name "Watani" which means "my homeland" or "my country of birth" in English. Written in the sponge pen style, the five letters are written with strong, bold colors. The letters, attached to each other, connect, intersect, and overlay each other. The location of the name suggests that the road to the homeland is near and beautiful in terms of view, but still far in the distance we must travel.