“People of all ages, professions and backgrounds are putting their ‘touch of art’ on small cardboards, which will be collected to form a large mosaic,” said artist Radi al-Hajri, who was also joined by his colleague Lina al-Ali.
The initiative is giving DHFC visitors an opportunity to take part in creating Qatar’s largest mosaic, which will be displayed at Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum once completed.
Al-Hajri noted that the mosaic, generated by participants, will represent the pride, strength and history of Qatar. The artists hope to create a large collective artwork that will send a message of love, patriotism and loyalty presented in an artistic way like the popular ‘Tamim Al Majd’ by contemporary artist Ahmed bin Majed al-Maadheed.
Al-Hajri said the ‘Tamim Al Majd’ was derived out of love and delivered the message that the people (of Qatar) are behind its wise leadership. “We really admire this artwork because it represents the unity of the people. Now, we want to deliver different kinds of messages and ideas because artists like us want to come up with new things,” he stressed, citing that many people are taking part in the initiative “not for us but for all so it is really very encouraging.”
“The art community, since the beginning, has always been united. Everybody is helping each other and we are one family,” al-Hajri pointed out. “We feel that this is our nature, to act and stand united.”
The artists vowed to volunteer and take part in similar initiatives in the future. Al-Hajri and al-Ali interact with mallgoers at DHFC between noon and 3pm and again between 5pm and 8pm daily until August 15. QTA is bringing local artists to areas with high footfall to give them a unique opportunity to engage people in artistic endeavour and enhance their art experience.
Al-Hajri is a multi-talented artist who likes to express himself through poetry, writing and art while al-Ali is an author of children’s books and a full-time visual arts teacher.
