The Katara Cultural Village on Monday held an inauguration ceremony for the “Qabasat” Exhibition, presented by Syrian artist Dr Wassim al-Hamdou.
Attending the ceremony were Katara Director-General Dr Khalid Ibrahim al-Sulaiti and Charge d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic to the State of Qatar, Dr Bilal Turkia, alongside excellencies, ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, and those interested in cultural and artistic affairs.
Running until June 29, the exhibition welcomes visitors who are keen on masterpieces of fine art and Arabic calligraphy to have a glimpse of this outstanding, innovative experience.
The exhibition showcases a collection of artworks that draw inspiration from the masterpieces of Arabic calligraphy and evoke aspects of Arab and Islamic culture through an epochal artistic vision that fuses authenticity with innovation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Bilal Turkia emphasised that the showcased artworks demonstrate the values of beauty, knowledge, and identity that characterise Arab and Islamic culture.
This artist has succeeded in blending the authenticity of Arabic calligraphy with the spirit of contemporary art, offering a creative experience that reflects human and cultural ethos through innovative and influential techniques, he pointed out.
Dr Bilal Turkia added that the exhibition holds special significance as a distinguished showcase of Syrian art and culture in the State of Qatar, especially during this pivotal phase in Syria’s history.
This showcase, he noted, demonstrates the depth of brotherly relations between the State of Qatar and the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as the evolving cultural co-operation between the two nations, contributing to the strengthening of people-to-people connections and understanding.
For his part, the artist Dr Wassim al-Hamdou clarified that the exhibition is an important milestone in an amalgamation of exhibitions he has staged in several Arab nations.
The corollary of holding this exhibition at Katara, al-Hamdou noted, is that Katara is one of the most pre-eminent cultural and artistic beacons in the region, a pioneering platform that hosts innovation and deepens people-to-people cultural dialogue.
Dr al-Hamdou highlighted that his artistic experience showcases Arabic calligraphy through his personal style, stemming from his foremost penchant for this inveterate art.
The artist noted that most of the works were executed using ink-based techniques, combined with a range of materials and mixed-media approaches, alongside the incorporation of acrylic paint in selected works as an experimental layer that enriches the pictorial surface and introduces additional visual depth.
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