BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: Fifty artists from 26 countries are participating in the third annual Al Asmakh International Symposium of Art, the biggest edition organised by Regency Art, which began yesterday.
“The artists will spend six days in Sealine to create 120 to 150 paintings which will be displayed at the end of the event,” Mohammed Atiq, General Manager, Regency Art, told a press conference at Wyndham Grand Regency Doha Hotel.
The paintings, he said, will be part of Regency Art’s permanent collection to be displayed at the museum which will be built as part of Regency Art’s plan.
“The paintings are priceless,” said Ayman Lotfy, Cluster General Manager, Wyndham Grand Regency Doha & Ramada Encore Doha, adding the artworks are set to contribute to enhancing Qatar’s art landscape as some of them may be used in major events.
“The artists will benefit from this beautiful journey of meeting each other and sharing experiences, culture and art. They are here, joining in the journey which is a reward in itself,” he said.
All artists were present at the press conference and welcome event, including Qataris Ali Al Kuwari, Masoud Rashid M Al Bulushi and Muna Khalid Bujassoum.
“I would like to welcome you all to Qatar. I’m happy you are here so we can share this wonderful journey together,” said Al Kuwari.
German artist and curator Dorothea Fleiss said, “I hope the symposium will not just be a platform for creativity but also for intercultural exchange.”
Fleiss said she hoped to forge partnerships with Qatar-based and foreign artists and invite them to her country.
The symposium will also see the artists engage in lectures and visits around Qatar, including Museum of Islamic Art, to understand the history, culture and beauty the country has to offer. “After the success of Al Asmakh International Symposium of Arts 2013 and 2014 we have found that the event has raised interest in arts in Qatari society. We are proud of holding it as art characterises a great fragment in our group strategy,” Hassan Ibrahim Al Asmakh, Vice-President, Regency Group Holding, said in a statement. He thanked sponsors, including Qatar Islamic Bank, Sano, Hyundai Elevators, Qatar Airways, Regency Group, Wyndham Grand Regency Doha Hotel, Al Asmakh Facilities Management, Regency Halls, Eventos, Regency Fleets, Regency Holidays 101 Qatar and The Luxury Network Qatar for support.
The paintings will be unveiled at a reception under the patronage of Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage H E Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz AI Kuwari on March 3 at 7pm at Wyndham Grand Regency Doha’s Al Qasr ballroom.
The exhibition will be open to the public on March 4 from 10am to 8pm. The Peninsula
