Trent Pehrson
A small collection of Idrani calligraphy
Explore the Exhibit Back About This Exhibit About the Artist
This exhibit explores Idrani calligraphy through a collection of early studies and experiments in
writing. Several works recreate the appearance of documents from an imagined Idrani past, including
deeds, an ancient scroll fragment, a page from a spell book, and pages from an early Sipokhi alphabet
book. Using distressed paper, parchment, ink, watercolor, and colored pencil, these pieces treat writing
not simply as a means of recording language, but as an artifact shaped by history, culture, and the
hands of those who wrote it.
The exhibit also highlights the development of Idrani calligraphy itself. Among the works is a treasure
map that represents the earliest surviving example of Idrani calligraphy created by Trent Pehrson at
age eleven. At the other end of the collection are examples of newly constructed writing systems
developed as part of Pehrson's work teaching conlangers how to create calligraphic scripts. Together,
the pieces demonstrate an enduring fascination with the relationship between language and visual
form–and with the idea that a writing system can possess its own history, personality, and artistic
identity.