Goodbye Moosa Omar

Oman lost one of its most renowned artists, Moosa bin Omar al Zadjali at age of 52, on Sunday leaving a sudden vacuum in the art community.

Omani artist Saif al Amri reflected, “Omani plastic artist Al Zadjali was a brother, friend and colleague of the same profession. I have known him for more than 27 years and he is an artist with a beautiful and wonderful imprint in the Omani plastic movement at the local, regional and international levels. In fact, the Omani plastic movement has lost one of the most prominent Omani plastic artists.”

Al Amri and Al Zadjali had worked together in workshops and during national and international exhibitions.

The term ‘Plastic Art’ comes from the word ‘plasticise’ which also means to mould and Al Zadjali was known for such a distinct style. His studio talks about his art and work even though they remain silent while his family and friends and art followers take in the depth of loss.

Through his social media posts, it is clear that he believed in communication and he used his art work in speaking volumes on the subjects close to his heart.

While the titles of his work were Childhood, Dove of Peace, Dream Coat, The Body’s Anthem among others, his language of art was unique, created from within the space of his mind, represented on platforms that ranged from canvas to objects.

Thus he had no language barrier between him and the art connoisseurs of the world as his work has been exhibited in various countries.

During Covid-19 period, which also was featured in his artwork, he was patiently waiting and in 2022 he was there with his artwork in Bangladesh for the 19th Asian Biennale.

His work was rich in symbolism, rich in colours representing an array of emotions. The surface of his artwork was a world on its own.

He constantly evolved and soon frames could not creat a boundary for his work. And he seemed to have continuously challenged the norm and expanded beyond limitations.

Al Zadjali experimented and for the viewer there was excitement in discovering and trying to interpret the artist’s perception.

Of course throughout his decades of career, his work reflected the rich environment of Oman — it’s nature, architecture, society, culture and people.

“I first came across Al Zadjali as an artist at ‘His Dream Coat Exhibition’ — Bait Al Zubair Museum, and I was just in all of his craftsmanship, and the extent of his creativity and skillful execution of his concepts. And as I got to know him as a person, I found him as so sincere and humble in spite of all the success he has received that it was a privilege to have been in his company,” said Ibrahim Gailani, an artist who was based in Oman for several years.

Al Zadjali was also a mentor for young and upcoming artists. “He was my art teacher as he guided me tremendously in my artwork. In my name and in the name of the Omani art community, I feel deeply saddened by the loss of the great Omani artist Al Zadjali. I convey my condolences to his family and the great Omani art community. May his family and relatives be given patience and solace,” Sara al Balushi said.

What he used the most as an artist on his canvas to convey his thoughts was the cloth bringing out the softness, flexibility and texture and character.

Al Zadjali silently created waves in contemporary art reflecting his thoughts, personality with a mixture of interpretations and metaphors.

His paint brush might rest now but not his art work as they will continue to convey his thoughts on peace and dreams.