On the occasion of the 51st National Day of the Renaissance, the Embassy of the Netherlands in Oman, in collaboration with Stal Gallery, Dar Al Atta’a Charity Foundation and Scientific College of Design, is presenting a cross-cultural initiative, stimulating dialogue between both countries, through the interactive art programme at Stal Gallery.
“In pursuit of beauty” is a cross-cultural programme, initiated and sponsored by the Embassy of the Netherlands in the Sultanate Oman. The programme is focused on the educational aspect and will culminate in an open-ended public demonstration, including, which includes an artists’ talk, workshop and exhibition.
The Artists’ Talk offers an introduction to the three-week-long Art Residency programme in the Sultanate of Oman, with two established artists from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The artists will share some work-in-progress and their thoughts on Dutch contemporary art, as well as on the upcoming exciting Exhibition in Stal Gallery.
The aim of the workshop is craftsmanship in oil painting, and will provide new perspectives and possibilities with realism in oil colour. This workshop intends to bring more insight into the pleasure of this genre, and how to turn everyday objects into objects of beauty.
The charity exhibition and workshop, focusing on the theme, “In Pursuit of Beauty”, will feature the works of Dutch artists Ruud Verkerk and Fereshteh Salehi, and their curatorial project – an art collection created by students of the Scientific College of Design. A selection of works by artists Ruud Verkerk and Fereshteh Salehi is also for sale at Stal Gallery, with 100 per cent of the proceeds to be donated to the Dar Al Atta’a charity foundation.
The programme is curated by Ruud Verkerk and Fereshteh Salehi, with co-curators Dr Volodymyra Sobolevska (Stal Gallery Manager) and Louma al Atassi (Policy Officer, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands).
Stella Kloth, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Oman, said: “Art is boundless and provides us with a way of building bridges in our international relations and to make friends. It presents an opportunity to connect people and cultures and to share knowledge and experience between Dutch and Omani people. This will provide us with inspiration, enrichment and knowledge increase. It is our responsibility, as an embassy, to stimulate this.”
Hassan Meer, Art Director, Stal Gallery, commented: “Stal Gallery & Studio continue its support to the art community by having multiple workshops and art talks. Since it was opened in 2013 it has contributed a lot to Omani art -- from supporting young Omani artists to international art exchanges with different institutions and organisations. This current exhibition is a joint workshop between the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Stal gallery and it shows the commitment the gallery made to diversify the art scene in the country. We express our sincere gratitude to HE Stella Kloth, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Oman.”
Ruud Verkerk added: “Art is unquestionably one of the purest and highest elements in human happiness. Through painting, you really discover what you see. It is not what you look at that matters, it is what you see.”
Fereshteh Salehi remarked: “Art can offer a grand vantage point from which to survey the trials of our condition. Art can be a tool, and we need to focus more clearly on what kind of tool it is - and what good it can do for us. Art is a medium that can help guide, exhort and console its viewers, enabling them to become better versions of themselves.”
The exhibition at Stal Gallery, which began on November 26, ends on December 13, 2021.
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