Hassan Al Mulla (second right) explains one of his paintings to H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada (right) at the opening of the exhibition yesterday at the Souq Waqif Art Centre. (IBRAHIM RO)
BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: Qatari artist Hassan Al Mulla yesterday unveiled more than 40 of his latest paintings at a 10-day exhibition at Souq Waqif Art Centre.
In his sixth solo exhibition entitled ‘Ehsas Fnan’ (Feeling of the Artist), Al Mulla reflects on his vision of various underlying themes concerning Qatar and the Arab world.
“I just paint what I feel inside …from my heart to the canvas,” he told The Peninsula.
Childhood memories, family and daily activities in Qatar are some of the themes he captured vividly on the paintings, most of which are being shown to the public for the first time.
The paintings, created in the last two years, reveal the artist’s spontaneity and versatility using various media such as acrylic, pastel, oil and mixed media, which impressed those present at the launch, including the guest of honour Minister of Energy and Industry and Chairman & Managing Director of Qatar Petroleum H E Dr Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada,.
“He is very spontaneous allowing the viewers greatest freedom of imagination and he has mastered this style,” said Dr Al Sada after inaugurating the expo.
The Minister lauded the artist for continuously creating beautiful paintings despite his busy career. “Although he had been busy at certain point with administrative work because of his career, he had continuously produced excellent paintings. We are all proud of him and his works.”
He urged the artist to pass on his knowledge and expertise to the new generation of Qatari artists.
“I call upon him to again help the young artists and I’m sure he is already doing that by interacting with them.”
Lauding the vibrant art scene in the country, the Minister said: “Artistic atmosphere in Doha is excellent because we do not just enjoy the paintings but also interact directly with artists as we are a small brotherly family in Qatar. We know each other and this is an advantage,” he said.
A graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Baghdad, Hassan Al Mulla has already participated in various exhibitions in the GCC and around the world and garnered many awards.
The expo is open to the public until January 17 from 8am to 11pm at the Souq Waqif Art Centre. The paintings are for sale.
The peninsula
