As one stepped into the halls of Muscat Art Fair last weekend, the paintings greeted guests as if they were windows overlooking intertwined worlds of creativity and culture. Colours and lines came together to tell stories of identity, resilience, and challenge, mixed with the artists’ feelings and experiences that transcend geographical and linguistic boundaries.
In the exhibition space, artists from all over the world meet to exchange experiences and ideas, making the event a vibrant and innovative platform.
This year’s exhibition carries an inspiring artistic diversity, as artists display interactive works and new visual experiences that take the audience on a journey through modern technologies and human themes.
Omani artist Shamsa Al Busaidi has unveiled a unique artistic experience through a remarkable collection of four diverse works, each distinguished by its own style and technique. Among her standout pieces is the painting titled "Maysour," which features a horse rendered on a vintage Omani carpet, employing a palette inspired by "Karnak" colours. This work exemplifies Al Busaidi's innovative approach to blending local heritage with contemporary artistic expressions.
In her exploration of artistic complexity, Shamsa also introduced a pixel-style painting that took over a year to complete, owing to its intricate colour tones. She emphasized that this piece is rooted in a distinct sensory experience, inviting viewers to partially close their eyes to fully appreciate the subtleties of the image. Through these works, Al Busaidi seeks to engage audiences with art in an unconventional and immersive manner.
Describing the Muscat Art Exhibition as an invaluable platform for local and international artists to connect and share their creative journeys, Al Busaidi believes that the event fosters strong artistic bonds among creators both within and beyond the borders of Oman. She emphasized that her participation aims to invite the audience into a sensory engagement, requiring them to adopt a specific approach to interact with her artwork meaningfully. Concluding her remarks, she stated, "This exhibition serves as a golden opportunity for artists to present their creativity and to enhance artistic dialogue with colleagues from diverse cultures and perspectives."
Visual artist Abdulrahman al Hajri showcased his innovative work "Resistant" at the Muscat Art Exhibition, offering an unconventional artistic experience through the fusion of two paintings into a single engaging piece that can be appreciated with 3D glasses. Al-Hajri explained that the glasses enable viewers to experience colour integration in a novel way, with each lens—blue and red—revealing a distinct painting. This results in a unique visual experience that shifts based on the viewer's angle and perspective.
The concept behind "Resistant" serves as a powerful symbol of the resilience of the people of Gaza amidst adversity. Al-Hajri articulated that the artwork embodies their indomitable spirit, depicting individuals emerging from the rubble while raising a victory sign—a testament to their commitment to life despite overwhelming challenges.
Additionally, Al-Hajri emphasized the significance of art exhibitions for Omani youth, noting that these events extend beyond mere showcases of artwork. They play a crucial role in highlighting emerging talents and integrating them into the broader art scene. He further stressed that such gatherings facilitate valuable exchanges of experiences among artists and provide opportunities for marketing and selling artwork, contributing to the growth of artists and bolstering the visual arts movement within the Sultanate.
Sudanese visual artist Moatasem Hussein Omar found it important to showcase artworks that explore themes of identity, culture, and history through the use of oil paints as his primary medium.
Moatasem shared that his artistic endeavours aim to illuminate pressing issues related to the roots of Arab identity while fostering a deeper cultural awareness. He emphasized the crucial role of art in delivering visual narratives that help shape societal consciousness.
Moatasem highlighted that while Arab culture often prioritizes linguistic and narrative expressions, there exists a notable gap in the realm of visual culture. He remarked, "Artistic events such as this contribute significantly to activating the public's visual memory, providing a rich reservoir of visual materials that enhance artistic perception and cultural understanding."
He further underscored the necessity of hosting ongoing art exhibitions across various governorates in the Sultanate of Oman, asserting that the regularity of such events would positively influence both residents and visitors, thereby strengthening cultural cohesion and offering greater opportunities for the public to engage with global arts.
Moatasem stressed that cultural and artistic activities play a major role in enriching society and enhancing communication between different cultures.
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