From abstract paintings to photography
and calligraphy, the exhibition of
local artists at Katara encompasses
By Umer Nangiana
The Department of Visual Arts and Ministry of Culture have put together six Qatari artists’ work to once again set the local art scene in motion. The works on display at Visual Art Centre (VAC) in Katara include both paintings and photographic exhibits. From abstract to creative nuances in calligraphic art, the exhibition touches upon both fundamental and contemporary concepts of art.
“It is an exhibit where experiences lie side by side and the visions are brought together by an expression of the concurrence of the local scene with the contemporary developments in the world art scene,” said Hanadi al-Darwish, the head of Visual Art Section in her official message.
She is also one of the six artists whose works are on display. She also added that the Department of Visual Arts is organising the show as its third exhibition for select male and female artists in Qatar. This approach reflects the Department of Visual Arts’ vision to present Qatari art and its active presence in society.
For the admirers of contemporary art techniques, Khalifa Ahmad al-Obaidi, a Qatari photographer, is the first and foremost attraction in the exhibition gallery. On the surface, he has shot and captured some ordinary moments in extraordinary fashion but deep down these moments reflect the entire composition of life itself.
Every object of his picturisation bears a bar code carrying the subject’s meaning. “I have got this idea to highlight practices in our daily lives which we do not feel but just perform because we are used to it,” al-Obaidi said in his synopsis.
For instance, his photographs capture close-ups of hands pouring tea, winding a watch, swiping the screens of gadgets or the ones rising in salutes.
Terming it as ‘Routine’, the veteran art photographer believes that it is a band that we cannot skip but we are following and it controls our life and we cannot get rid of it. The artist says he gets his inspiration from the habitat and the elements around him as he takes his time to study his subject before initiating the artwork.
Another photographic artist, Rashed al-Mohannadi has a different angle of life to show at the exhibition. What appear to be shadows from distance emerge as a moving life on reducing the distance between the observer and the observed. Al-Mohannadi has over 18 years of experience in using different types of lenses to captures artistic scenes with different techniques.
Having participated in multiple exhibitions and art workshops worldwide, Hessa Kalla has exhibited some abstract in very attractive hues glazed and burnt through the medium used. The artwork is different and can easily standout among hundred pieces.
Ahmed Noah, another artist at the exhibition, has also done some flamboyant experimentation in abstract. Playing with blue colour in most of his work, the Qatari artist’s work gives blissful vibes to the viewer.
Moza al-Kuwari has demonstrated calligraphy skills with paintbrush on canvas. The work is captivating.