ON DISPLAY: The exhibition brings artists from different regional countries together.
By Umer Nangiana
Varying perspectives are expressed in multiple styles on aspects of human life through strikingly beautiful artwork at Al-Markhiya Gallery as the second part of its summer collection.
Being shown at two galleries in Souq Waqif, the exhibition displays some of the most attractive works of regional artists. One of them is Sudanese artist Rashed Diab. Born in Sudan in 1957, Diab is represented by his small size canvases, inviting the viewer to large planes of vibrant colours. He has expertly highlighted the sensitive detail that tells an emotional story in his drawings and paintings.
Diab’s work reflects a synthesis of his Sudanese heritage and an awareness of contemporary artistic developments in Europe. His imagery and symbols range from Arabic illuminations and calligraphic designs, animals, human figures, traditional folk and historical motifs, to mythical and mask-like African motifs.
His etchings and paintings on display prove his command over the mediums he works in. In some of his works, he has made use of calligraphy and calligraphic designs. Diab studied at the College of Fine Arts Khartoum and was awarded grants from the University Madrid to further his graduate degree and complete a doctorate.
He has exhibited worldwide and his paintings are part of private and public collections, including at places such as the Museum of Fine Arts Alexandria, Unesco, Paris, Institute du Monde Arab, Paris, Museum of Academy of Fine Arts San Fernando, Madrid, Royal Museum of Fine Arts Amman and Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, Kuwait.
Salman al-Malik, another participating artist from Qatar, discovered his artistic talents early, when as a student in 1970 he began contributing drawings and illustrations to Al-Orouba magazine, one of the first to be published in Qatar. His painting on display is one of the most expensive of the lot, selling at QR78,000.
After school, al-Malik travelled to Egypt to study art education in Cairo (now Helwan) University, where he was immersed in the vibrant cultural scene of the capital and frequented magazines such as the weekly Rose al-Yousef, cultivating a love of caricature and publishing his own work in newspaper and magazines.
After graduating and returning to Qatar in 1982, he continued to publish caricatures in daily newspapers such as Al-Raya and Al-Watan. Al-Malik has regularly participated in biennials in Cairo and Sharjah, and the 2006 Asian Art Biennale in Bangladesh, where he won an award for art for his series The Woman and the Chair.
Al-Malik’s style has varied from abstraction to impressionism but, throughout has remained focused on the concept of the woman, whether within a space, leaving a space, or claiming her space.
Yemeni artist Hakim al-Akel has put on display two paintings focusing also on extraordinaire women who inspire his paintings. They are views from above that show a life in a different dimension. The paintings have a different combination of colours that attract the audience’s attention in the first sight.
Ahmed Anan from Bahrain has contributed with oil on canvas. Born in Bahrain in 1968, he is member of Bahrain Contemporary Art Association since 1989. Anan received the 1st prize in The Society Annual Exhibition in 2001.
His first group exhibition was also held in the Society in 1989. Later his works travelled many countries in the region in solo and group exhibitions, including Bangladesh Biennial in 1993 and 2002; Asilah Cultural Season; Morocco in 1990, 1992 and 1994; Bahrain Cultural Days in Damascus, Syria, in 2008; and Taqaseem group exhibitions I, II in 2010 & III in 2012.
He has also exhibited in Kuwait, Dubai, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Some of his works are collected by the Bahrain National Museum.
Lebanese artist Ginou Choueiri has contributed to the exhibit her work in acrylic and spray paint on canvas, depicting women. After completing a degree in Marketing at the University of Connecticut, Choueiri returned to Beirut and started working in advertising. Seven years later, she travelled to Barcelona to participate in Metafora’s International Art Workshop and has been making art ever since.
Her work has been exhibited in Europe and the Middle East in venues such as the Contemporary Cultural Center of Barcelona, the Mario Merz Foundation in Turin, Italy, and Beirut Art Lounge. The exhibition showcases work by many other artists from different countries in the region including Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan, Palestine and other countries.
