Shoof’s framed artwork features a dense network of white and light-grey, ribbon-like forms against a deep blue background. The shapes evoke fragments of Arabic script, overlapping, intertwining and moving in different directions.

The Tunis-born artist Shoof, whose real name is Hosni Hertelli, combines Arabic calligraphy with a contemporary visual language. He separates individual elements of the script from their conventional linguistic context. Rather than inviting viewers to read a text, his work focuses on the visual qualities of lines, curves, rhythm and repetition.

The historic setting of Abbaye Saint-Martin provides a distinctive backdrop for contemporary art. The city of Laon regularly uses the abbey complex for temporary exhibitions, including presentations of street art and urban art. These initiatives include exhibitions associated with the International Festival of Urban Arts and the Galerie Éphémère, a joint project by the city and Crédit Agricole du Nord Est supporting regional artists.