BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: A array of contemporary sculptures inspired by Qatari nature and culture and created by artists from around the world are on display at Wyndham Grand Regency Doha.
The exhibition marks the end of the first Al Asmakh International Sculpture Symposium 2014 which saw 12 artists create sculptures out of marble in one week.
Hassan Ibrahim Hassan Al Asmakh, Vice-President, Regency Group Holding, told the media at the opening of the expo ,yesterday that he was pleased by the quality and fine detailing of the sculptures and was surprised, given the short span time and the intricacy of making the pieces out of marble.
A piece, ‘The Sun Warrior’ by Argentine artist Maria Trinidad Caminos caught the attention of many a visitor, including Al Asmakh. “It stole my eye from the very beginning because of its concept, a traditional historic warrior,” he said.
Caminos said her sculpture was inspired by the Arab woman and her power. “I’m very happy to participate in the symposium and if invited next year, I will be back,” she said.
Omani artist Salim Omar Al Marhoon shared the same view and said what made the symposium excellent was the venue — Al Asmakh Farmhouse in Umm Salal Ali — where everything was made available for the artists to turn their ideas into visual pieces of art.
Although this was the first time for him to participate in such an event in Qatar, Al Marhoon said, “This will not be the last time because everything here is good, including the people.”
In his latest work, Al Marhoon delved into the story of Prophet Sulaiman sending a letter to the Queen of Saba through his messenger bird.
It was hard to rival another Argentine artist Laura Cristina Marcos’ ‘Arabisc’, a figurative yet realistic take on a sewing machine.
“I took my decision based on my impression of Qatar when I arrived here. In the first two days that I was taking pictures, the first thing that captivated me was the arabesque and architectural design,” said Marcos.
A sewing machine which sews Arabesque-designed fabric, she said, illustrates how Qatar has changed through time but remains true to its roots.
“Doha has become a modern city but its roots are sustained,” she said, adding the sculpture is a fitting tribute to women here.
“I’m from Argentina which is part of Latin America, and our customs are different.
“Our culture has its idiosyncrasies. We have differences but I see that true freedom is within ourselves.”
The sculptures will be part of the collection of Regency Art, which plans to build a gallery/events centre in Lusail entertainment city which, Al Asmakh said, could turn into a museum.
“We plan to collect 5,000 works of art until 2022,” he said, speaking of Regency Art’s initiative through regularly organised symposia on various aspects of visual art.
The inaugural symposium, he said, was a prelude to a bigger sculpture event same time next year. “We wanted to test our logistic capability, how to deal with artists, what equipment is better. We have to find out the finer details to be able to organise a bigger symposium,” he said.
Other artists include Ali Altekhais (Saudi Arabia), Gamal Sayed (Egypt), Mahgoub Babikir (Sudan), Salah Ben Amor (Tunisia), Sylviane Courgeau (France), Stefano Sabetta (Italy), Mohammed Al Atiq and Talal Al Dhefairi (Qatar) and Carolina Palmero (Argentina).
The Peninsula
