CATHERINE W GICHUKI

DOHA TWENTY-six exclusive art pieces by Iraqi-Armenian artist Shetha Faraj Abbo al Numan are on display at an exhibition titled ‘Between Gestalt and Structuralism’ at the Katara Gallery, building 19.

The expo, which opened on Tuesday will run till June 9 and it showcases a collection of paintings as well as designs engraved either on, wood, plastic or aluminium by the artist.

The paintings which include such works as Brothers, The Rooster, Umi, Tea-time, Samoon, Bastooga, The Sisters and others are done using either oil on canvas, acrylic on canvas, water colour on canson and black ink on canson.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Numan said that she chose the concept of Gestalt and structuralism to discuss the relevance between them in structuring the form of an artwork. She said that her Iraqi and Armenian roots also inspired her because she wanted to showcase her country and cultural legacy.

“The design is my new attempt, my new idea. I am launching it for the first time today. I want to see the response of the audience. My background is industrial design and I have always loved materials especially wood, plastic and aluminium. I like high technology, therefore I chose to introduce high technology in my art work,” Numan said.

“If you look at my plastic art you can notice the Iraqi symbols are very clear because of my dad. He was one of the renowned Iraqi artists and he found the Academy of fine art in Iraq. He was one of the main pillars of the Iraqi contemporary art founders and whenever I paint, I find myself going back to the symbols, to the origin of the Iraqi art,” she added.

Thanking Katara for exhibiting her work she said, “I am so proud of the care that I have received from Katara and the audience. I am happy because I found a place to deliver my message about my country as well as my new idea.” Commenting about the expo in a recorded statement Sidonio Costa, curator of Visual Arts Exhibition and Educational programmes at Katara said, “This is exhibition explores different themes through the cultural roots of the artist. Numan breathes life into the paintings through her unique use of colour, creating some eye catching compositions.”