There can be fewer more delightful places to visit and to view exquisite art works than Dar Al Funoon. Lucy Topalian has ensured that the gallery has remained at the heart of Kuwait’s art scene for many years. A particularly busy season lies ahead with a schedule bursting with a mix of upcoming artists and those with proven international reputations.
Our recommended highlights: Hussein Madi and Ali Omar Ermes.
Upcoming Shows:
30th January to 23rd February, 2012 Hussein Madi
5th to 16th March, 2012 Mohammed Abou El Naga
19th to 29th March, 2012 Ali Omar Ermes
2nd to 20th April, 2012 Karim Ghidinelli
23rd April to 10th May, 2012 Iranian Contemporary Art
14th to 31st May, 2012 Olivia de Saint-Luc
4th to 21st June, 2012 Abdulla Al Awadi
Hussein Madi
Hussein Madi, painter, sculptor, and printmaker, is considered to be among the Arab world’s foremost artists. Born in 1938 in Chebaa, Lebanon, Madi studied painting at the Lebanese Academy of Fine Arts (ALBA) in Beirut. In 1963 he traveled to Rome to pursue his studies at the Accademia di Belle Arti, the Accademia San Giacomo and a number of the city’s free ateliers.
Madi then resided in Rome for the next twenty two years. In 1987 he returned to live permanently in Lebanon. He has had more than ninety major exhibitions all over the world. Over the course of a fifty-year astounding career, he has brilliantly covered all the major fields of endeavor in fine arts.
Ali Omar Ermes
Born in Libya in 1945 Ali Omar Ermes was educated both in Libya and England. He skillfully fuses Arabic Script and contemporary Art, in doing so he has created new aesthetics. The Arabic letter is his source of inspiration, he also paints inscriptions from Arabic Poetry. He describes the poems as the medium between the visible movement of his painting and the cultural space, where these lines were created.
With many publications and over 70 solo and group exhibitions worldwide his works have been acquired by both public and and private collectors in the Middle East, Europe, USA and the Far East.
The etymology of the letter Kha is evoked in this work and can be found in numerous Arabic words including Khazain, Khurooj, Khookh, Khairaat, Khubz, Khal, Khaleefah, Khalaya and Khazaf.
Lines of poetry within the painting’s composition highlight the following: ‘Stand steady and upright, with a full and brave heart when life’s problems start to rumble or storm your way.’
Another excerpt states: ‘Knowledge raises the insignificant while ignorance brings down the one of august lineage.’
Majani Al Adab
Dar al Funoon
Al-Watiah, Behbehani Compound, House No. 28
For further information call +965 2243 3138
Boushahri Gallery
Upcoming Shows:
to 9th February, 2012
An exhibition of private collections including the artistic works of both Arab and Western artists for viewing pleasure or reownership.This exhibition will include the works of Paul Guiragossian, Omar Al-Najdi, Issam Darwish, Salvador Dali and Matisse.
14th February, 2012- 8 March, 2012
Ibrahim Dessouki (1969) and Hind Adnan (1970)
Ibrahim is a well-known artist who has had a numerous amount of exhibitions in Cairo, Alexandria, Qatar, and outside the Arab world. His works include human bodies in which he has success with weight, anatomy, and vitality. He uses pale and soft colors in his work, giving them harmony and a musical feel. Hind has been involved in many private exhibitions from 1993 until now. She has continued to improve her artistic abilities and productions on the human body, which represent the muse in most of her works.
17 March, 2012- 5 April, 2012
Farouk Hosn
Farouk’s style changed gradually from natural scenery to that of beauty. After taking part in an exhibition at the Metropolitan Musuem of Modern Arts, comments arose that Farouk’s work relect international and progressive taste. His artwork is known to continually include the light and colors of his country.
Contact Yahya Swailam on 97874940 or 2562 1119
Dar al-Athar al-Islamiyyah
Every year, DAI organizes a series of public lectures and seminars given by internationally renowned scholars, as well as art courses, archelological field trips, musical concerts and audio - visual programs to enhance public awareness and the appreciation of Islamic art history. These activities are held at Maidan Cultural Centre and commence at 7.00 pm.
February 2012
Feb. 1 (Wednesday) - Voice and Clarinet through the Ages Concert
Feb. 6 (Monday) - Rami Al-Jamil lecture
Feb. 7 (Tuesday) - Farah al-Nakib Lecture
Feb. 8 (Wednesday) - The Gryphon Trio Concert
Feb. 13 (Monday) - D. Fairchild Ruggles Lecture
Feb. 14 (Tuesday) - Book Club, The Edge of War
Feb. 15 (Wednesday) - Amin “Mr. FaRi” Abdal Lecture
Feb. 19 (Sunday) - Theatrical Production SABAB Theatre
Feb. 22 (Wednesday) - Ramzi Yassa Piano Recital
Feb. 29 (Wednesday) - Samy Ibrahim and Friends Concert
For further information telephone 2240 0992.
Gallery Tilal
Our recommended highlight: Abdel Moien Saleh
Upcoming Shows:
12th to 23rd February, 2012 - Abdel Moien Saleh
4th to 15th March, 2012 - Hamad Al Saab & Ali Sultan
25th March to 5th April, 2012 - Khaled Aram
6th to 17th May, 2012 - Tagreed Al Bagshi
Abdel Moein Saleh
Artist Abdel Moein Saleh reveals that no Artwork can be born without a stimulant or an idea that possesses his thoughts and feelings. These ideas will then be explored and studied in an artistic manner while taking into consideration mass, void and surface.
Once that is accomplished; Abdel Moein begins to translate and transform the idea from a concept into a physical work of art that may be observed or touched!
With simple lines, Abdel Moein masters the idea that he wishes to convey. With the use of a hard metal, as bronze, he captures the softest of feelings and relations. His sculptures’ titles may provide an idea of his exhibition, Day Dream, Anticipation, Compassion, Night resistor, Awakening, The Cat, Mother and more.
