The ‘Colours of Desert’ exhibition was inaugurated at Qatar Foundation’s Recreation Centre hall on Thursday evening. The exhibition is being organised by the Qatar-based art community, Middle-East Art and Silk Painters (MAPS).
As many as 26 artists from different backgrounds living in Qatar are taking part in the exhibition that is the fifth edition of the Art and Painting Group Exhibition by MAPS. The month-long exhibition is displaying some very beautiful artworks by talented new artists and by experienced seasoned painters.
A good number of people from different cultures were present at the opening ceremony of the exhibition. The visitors took great interest in the works of new and budding artists. The artists, on the other hand, were also very happy over getting recognition and appreciation. The hosts gave certificates and medals to the artists taking part in the exhibition.
The chief guest on the occasion was P Kumaran, Ambassador of India to Qatar. After cutting the ribbon and opening the exhibition, the ambassador went around the exhibit to study the works on show. He talked to the artists, discussed their work, and appreciated their talents.
In his speech as the chief guest, the ambassador said, “This is the second time I am visiting the artwork exhibition. Each one (artwork) tells a story. I am happy to see Indian artists doing so well. I thank the MAPS for providing an opportunity and platform to new and young artists to express themselves and to improve their works.”
Appreciating the organisers, the ambassador added, “I would also appreciate the Qatar Foundation in terms of extending logistic support and providing them the platform to bring the artists together so that people like us can appreciate these artworks in Qatar.”
Speaking on the occasion as the guest of honour, Louise Cutajar, director of Events, Strategy and Planning Division at Qatar Museum, said, “MAPS provides a good opportunity [to young artists] to express themselves. Some people have natural skills of creation and others have more of technical skills. One can learn skills but creation and design are within you. The artists here have the skill of creativity. There is so much diversity at display here. I am very impressed. I encourage everybody. I appreciate MAPS and they should keep going.”
While talking to Community, Rashmi Agarwal, founding president of MAPS Qatar, said, “I always believe that exhibitions serve as stepping stones for aspiring artists. The opportunities allow the artists to shine in the real world as practicing artists.”
She noted, “From the MAPS platform, I always try to bridge gap between institutions and artists. I encourage young artists to come forward. For this exhibition, I have included many new artists showing their works for the first time. None of the new entries are full-time artists. Some of them are working ladies and other are housewives.”
The visitors showed keen interest in almost all artworks. However a painting showing a young Qatari girl in traditional dress and jewellery outside her house got immediate attention. The work is a creation of Karen Sinclair from the Caribbean. She has been working in Qatar for over six years.



TRADITION: The painting by Parveena Khan.


Talking to Community, Karen said, “I love to do art. I have been doing artworks on tropical islands and on Arabic life. I try to blend both things. I wanted to capture the emotion, motion, and passion of colour in my painting. I was inspired by a photo of a Qatari friend of my daughter, but I have changed her face in my painting.”
Another painting that captured attention of the visitors was an old Arab man shown as a pearl trader. The painting is the work of Parveena A Khan, a young Pakistani woman born and brought up in Qatar.
Talking to Community, Khan said, “I am a self-taught artist. My love for colours comes naturally to me. I have been teaching art to children. I think art is one way for children to express themselves. I started in 2007. This is my first exhibition. I have painted an old Qatari pearl trader busy in his work. I wanted to show how people before used to work in Qatar.”
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