Under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council member and Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi Crown Prince Ruler of Sharjah and Deputy the Sharjah Museums Department opened the 3rd edition of the “Lasting Impressions” exhibition, which hosts renowned Emirati artist Abdulqader Al Rais, at Sharjah Art Museum.
The opening ceremony, which received remarkable media interest and coverage, was attended by a number of senior officials and directors of government departments and authorities, dignitaries, and international media representatives, and guests were received by Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Department.
Running until November 30 and one of the premier fine art exhibitions, “Lasting Impressions” highlight outstanding local and Arab artistic works that have a distinguished presence in the Arab contemporary cultural landscape.
Hosting Al Rais comes in honour of his career achievements and in recognition of his significant contribution to all aspects of fine arts and artistic creativity in the country.
The exhibition features more than 100 paintings, including works which highlight the development of the Al Rais’ signature style throughout his 40-year rich experience in contemporary fine art and looks the various techniques demonstrated in his works – both oil and watercolour – inspired by the region’s landscape. Through the exhibition visitors are also given the opportunity to gain an insight into how Al Rais uses changes in paint handling and stylistic staccato to create extreme variations among his realistic paintings, resulting in calligraphic abstracts juxtaposed with geometric objects and realistic images on vibrant new canvasses.
Speaking on the occasion, Manal Ataya, SMD Director General, said, “We are extremely proud to host a pioneering UAE artist, who is locally and internationally recognized for his creative works. We take this opportunity to thank His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council member and Ruler of Sharjah, patron of this exhibition, for his immeasurable support, and extend our thanks to all those who have contributed through their collections to enrich this exhibition.”
On this occasion, Emirati artist Abdulqader Al Rais, said, “Exhibiting my artworks in my home country is a source of inspiration and ultimate dreams, and hence it gives me pleasure to express my profound thanks and appreciation to the Sharjah Museums Department, artists, interested people and friends, for the hospitality I received, which constitute a motive for me to further produce more creative art, out of loyalty to the emirate of Sharjah and our dear country.
Other paintings on display at the Lasting Impressions Exhibition also include the collections of Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Speaker of the Federal National Council, and Ahmed Al Tayer, Governor of the Dubai International Financial center, in addition to collections from the Barjeel Art Foundation and Sheikha Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation in Abu Dhabi.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, seminars and panel discussions will be held to throw light on the artworks of Al Rais, in addition to other topics related to the status of art on the UAE, regional, and global scenes and the latest developments in the fine art arena.
The event will also give a chance to artists and lovers of fine art to exchange views and opinions about affairs that concern the art sector, while various workshops organized by SMD’s Education and Interpretation Department will also be held on the fringe of the exhibition.
The Sharjah Art Museum is pleased to receive visitors from 3 October until 30 November 2012, and the exhibition will be open from Saturday to Thursday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and on Fridays from 4:00 Pm to 8:00 PM.
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