DOHA: Twenty-seven works by Qatari artist Amira Al Ajji are featured at her first solo exhibition that opened on Monday at Katara Building No. 13.
The expo titled ‘1040’ was opened by Katara General Manager Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, Ambassador of Poland Krzysztof Suprowicz, and Qatar Society for Fine Arts president Yusuf Al Sada.
The artist said she decided to use ‘1040’ as the title of her first solo expo as the number represents name Amira, the name she has carried through her life’s joys and sorrows.
To run for three weeks, the expo comprises works dominated by black, which Al Ajji considers the colour of challenge and strength. Technically, she says, black of various hues is one of the most difficult colours that an artist uses.
“Personally, I was inspired by the idea of adopting the colour because of its prominent presence in our society; it is the colour of abayya and shayla. The duality of black and white is most represented in our community. Black is a symbol of strength because it is rooted in our history.”
She added: “Although I have participated in many exhibitions, ‘1040’ is my first personal exhibition and it means a lot to me because it speaks about me.”
There are a number of artists such as Faraj Daham and Ali Hassan who are pioneers in abstract art and through her art she is trying to add new things to what they have contributed, she says.
“I feel that the public may not accept my use of black colour because it is strong and violent but carefully looking at each work may make them see another side of it.”
Dr Al Sulaiti said he was pleased to open Al Ajji’s exhibition which follows an artistic maturity in the expression of her thoughts and feelings resulting to a distinctive body of work.
He appreciated the role of the Qatar Society for Fine Arts in promoting Qatari artists and in enriching the cultural environment of the country which is in sync with the aims of Katara.
Dr Al Sulaiti also visited the joint workshop between Katara and Qatar Fine Arts Society which was well attended by a large number of Qatari artists as part of Quran and Astronomy events. Amira Al Ajji has already participated in many exhibitions in Qatar, Oman and Abu Dhabi and served as judge in various art competitions. Her works have been acquired by different institutions both here and abroad.
The Peninsula
