In an intriguing convergence of professions, a Dutch neuropsychotherapist and cognitive-behavioral therapist made an impromptu decision to travel to Suhar and participate in a sculpture camp.
Making the journey from Muscat, Reinilda van Heuven Dernison, a devoted photographer, joined 18 sculptors from eight countries at the recently concluded International Sculptors Camp.
Reinilda, a cognitive-behavioral therapist, finds inspiration in community work and voluntary engagement with children with special needs, particularly through the joy of belonging fostered by horse riding.
In her dual roles as a psychotherapist and photographer, she connected with sculptors, guiding and inspiring them to discover unique avenues for expressing deep-seated emotions. She passionately advocates for the therapeutic benefits of creative art in promoting mental well-being.
According to her, art becomes a poignant channel for navigating intricate emotions, such as grief or trauma, providing a means to articulate and process these intricate feelings.
Among the diverse sculptors were six from Oman, including Hussein al Sheikh, Yousef al Rawahi, Khalil al Kalbani, Ayman al Aufi, Ali al Jahwari, and Abdul Karim al Rawahi. The three Iranians were Faezeh Pourkamali, Behnam Akharbin and Khalid al Kathir.
Other participants included Jhon Gogaberishvili from Georgia, Zaid al Obaid from Kuwait, Hayedr al Alawi from Saudi Arabia, Abdullah al Hayki from Bahrain, and couples Qin Liu and Yang Liu from China and Yuriy Mysko and Lyudmyla Mysko from Ukraine.
The camp, themed ‘From Earth to Sky,’ was curated to promote art and support tourism in Oman, explains Dr Ali al Jabri, the camp supervisor.
He says, “The camp sought to develop creative industries and provide sculptors with a platform to exchange knowledge and expertise in marble, stone, and wood sculpting. The event aimed to empower Omani youth in sculpture, nurturing their skills to become ambassadors of Oman’s art and culture on the global stage.”
Over the years, the camp has built strong international connections, amplifying the exposure of young Omani artists globally.
This year’s special theme, ‘From Earth to Heaven,’ paid tribute to Younis, one of the founders who passed away in 2023, inspiring sculptors to create pieces that symbolise the journey from earthly elements to celestial heights.
Omani sculptor Yousef al Rawahi drew inspiration from Omani architecture, infusing elements of locks, door rings, tower curvatures, and triangular geometric decorations into his work, expressing a sense of sovereignty rooted in ancient Omani buildings.
Rianl Mohsen, a ceramic sculptor and fine arts professor from Alexandria, highlighted the warm Omani hospitality and the lasting impressions left by the natural surroundings and interactions with visiting families.
New participants, such as Liu Yang and Liu Kin from China, added to the camp’s global standing. Liu Yang, with over 80 sculptures in 34 countries, brought a rich artistic heritage to the camp. Liu loves nature and seas of Oman which he has meticulously portrayed in his work.
At the camp’s culmination, the sculptures were exhibited in natural surroundings, creating an outdoor gallery for visitors to explore.
This interactive setting allowed visitors to engage with the artists, discovering the unique stories behind each sculpture, whether abstract or minimalist, capturing the spirit of this extraordinary project.
Behnam Akharbi, Iran
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