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As part of Qatar National Day celebrations, an exhibition titled Pages from History by acclaimed Qatari artist Yousef Ahmad has opened at The St Regis Doha’s Sarab Lounge this week.

The expo, on until December 22, showcases specially selected 14 paintings of the artist that reflect the essence of Qatari culture.

Looking through the paintings, visitors will get a first impression of a history book opened before them, with many stories from the past trying to communicate with them.

They also render a traditional touch of old manuscripts. Local materials like palm tree pulp, dried and preserved palm leaves, sand, dust, clay, smoke and natural pigments are the different medium used.

Strips of Arabic calligraphy can also be seen is some of the works. The artwork is put for sale and 20% of the proceeds will be donated to Reach Out to Asia — a charity organisation.

The exhibition is free for the public.

  Speaking to Gulf Times, the artist said he got interested in painting at a very young age and credits his first inspiration to his father who was a carpenter and an artist himself.

Ahmad was graduated in Fine Arts from Helwan University in Cairo and after returning to Qatar he worked as an artistic orientation officer in the Ministry of Education.

Two years later he went to the US to get his Master’s degree. He has also taught art appreciation at Qatar University for 20 years.

Ahmad’s paintings and mixed media work have been exhibited internationally during a career that has spanned four decades.

His knowledge of lithography and typography motivated him to exploit the potential of Arabic calligraphy, developing new forms and interpretations of the letter shapes.

Ahmad was one of the many people who helped to establish the collections for the Orientalist Museum and Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art. The main themes in his artwork which include the motifs of desert, sky and sea, reflect Ahmad’s Qatari identity and upbringing. His technique of using local materials and experimentation with mixed-media have also given him the recognition as a ‘green artist’. After years of research he managed to develop hand-made paper from palm leaves.

Excerpts from the interview:

What you would like to say to people of Qatar on the occasion of Qatar National Day?

  As an artist and a Qatari national this occasion of celebration touches me and I hope everybody else, be it our friends and expatriates living here will have the same feeling. Especially, for all artists in Qatar this occasion will be very special because it comes only once in a year. And personally for me holding such an exhibition gives immense pleasure and I think the title Pages from History is apt on this occasion.

Most of your work has nature as the main theme. What is your motivation behind this?

  I always try to bring uniqueness to my work. I really want to be close to the nature therefore organic elements are used in all my works displayed here. For this, I selected palm tree which has a great significance in our tradition and history. I use palm tree pulp as a medium and have also succeeded in making handmade paper out of its leaves after years of research. Thus I have tried to add more value to this tree which is deeply rooted in our culture.

What are the advantages of this medium over others?

  While painting using ordinary acrylic and oil colours available in the market, I couldn’t get the same effect for my works as with palm tree pulp. I love this medium since it gives me great satisfaction. The texture has different thickness and effects. I want to feel my work by creating direct contact with it.

Therefore, I use my hands and fingers to create my work and ignore brush and artificial paints. I also believe that when you work with your hands the expression and feeling go directly to the work. I feel this will be absent if you work with a brush. There will be a gap between you and your work. I want to avoid this and this also become my message.

What motivated you to use environment-friendly materials in your work?

  As an artist, years of experience have made me come closer to nature and environment. Nothing equals the value of earth because we all came from it. I think we need to go back to the nature and stick to it. In this globalised era with technological advancements, economic crisis, disasters and political dirty games happening around the world, I strongly feel there is a real need to go back to our Mother Nature and keep the earth clean and peaceful.

Therefore I try to use organic materials in my art. I am trying to convey this message through my art.

Tell us about your experience working with Arabic calligraphy?

  I always loved Arabic calligraphy as it is a major element in Islamic art. I have used different scripts and styles throughout my work. I am still using it but not as frequently as before. Now I am more into this medium and love it more than anything.

How do you see the emerging art culture in Qatar?

  Compared to 30 years before, today art is completely different in Qatar. There are so many schools and museums that encourage art here. Every year many artists graduate from art schools The Ministry of Culture and Art, Katara and many youth organisations are giving more importance to art and culture. I think they are doing a great job. People are also educated and there is more appreciation for art. I would see it as a strong start. We will need more time, passion and hard work in this area to get good results in future.

What is your advice for the new generation artists in Qatar?

  I would like to recommend to them that they need to work hard and don’t be hurry to get fast results. You have to take step by step to reach the target, keep trying and do not give up and hope for a better future. Read and observe things around you and keep in your mind whatever you get from them so that one day you can bring and use them in your art, whether you become a painter, musician or poet. So, try to be as close as to your art and also appreciate other artists and art forms. Art is a beautiful experience and it can purify your mind.