Not only profoundly great artists but remarkable visual storytellers, celebrated Qatari artist Ali Hassan and Jordanian artist Hilda Hiary tell stories, some based on their experiences others spun from their imagination, in the latest exhibition at Al Markhiya Gallery.
“Narrative” exhibition opened on Tuesday night to a warm reception from both artists and enthusiasts at Al Markhiya’s gallery at the Fire Station.
For this show, Hassan showcases his signature semi-abstract compositions displaying his three metal sculptures and four paintings, all depicting horses. The works tell stories through a combination of calligraphy, vibrant colours and other forms. Though delving into similar subjects Hassan’s “Saddle” and “Horse of the Desert” series communicate narratives in differing intensity and emotions.
The artist uses his imagination to create unique forms and colours inspired by his memories of places and people and their stories and poetry.
One of Qatar’s most prominent artists, Hassan has worked on Arabic calligraphy for decades as his major interest, honing his craft by experimenting with different media and attending workshops and courses in various countries.
For over two decades, he has explored his fascination of the Arabic letter “nūn” prolifically creating a huge oeuvre in multiple variations dedicated to a single alphabet which he had become known for. Through installations, Hassan recently delved into the formal qualities and spiritual dimensions of letters and texts which can be observed in his works currently exhibited.
Hiary’s mixed media artworks command attention and spark debate among art enthusiasts with a mix of a number of common elements including objects such as cacti and other living creatures integrated into portraits of people painted with a variety of shapes and colours. Her fondness of deserts and their stories has inspired her 14 works on display.
She has been known for navigating into the socio-political aspect of the society through her artworks which combine figuration and abstraction.
Since the mid-1990s, she has been featured in solo and group exhibitions in museums such as New York’s Micro Museum and the San Pedro Museum in Brazil. The exhibition is open for public viewing until March 20 at Al Markhiya Gallery at the Fire Station.
