Tribune News Network
Doha
The Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) Director-General Dr Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti on Thursday opened two art exhibitions entitled ‘Twilight of Hope’ by Zaki Al Yafei and ‘Transformations through Art’ by the artist Rufaida Al Shaibani, in cooperation with the Yemeni Embassy in Doha.
The opening was attended by Minister of State and President of Qatar National Library (QNL) HE Dr Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kawari, a number of ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps and a large number of art lovers.
In his speech, Ambassador of Yemen to Qatar He Rajeh Badi expressed pleasure to open the two exhibitions of Yemeni artists Zaki Al Yafei and Rufaida Al Shaibani, noting that they come within the context of the belief in the importance of cultural interaction and its role in building bridges of communication between peoples, strengthening relations and consolidating the values of love, coexistence and dialogue.
He pointed out that the most important characteristic of Yemeni plastic art is its close connection to the heritage of civilisation and continuous expression of the memory of this great country and its striking identity, in addition to highlighting many of the aesthetic aspects of nature picturesque in Yemen.
He thanked Katara for its constant keenness to highlight culture and art in Yemen through its continuous support and embrace of Yemeni artistic and cultural events.
For his part, artist Zaki Al Yafei said the exhibition ‘Twilight of Hope’ aimed to demonstrate and disseminate identity, belonging and the diversity of heritage in Yemen through paintings depicting architecture, fashion, authentic faces as well as professions, as the name is associated with hope and the dawn of a new life to be enjoyed.
He pointed out that his artistic experience, which spans nearly a quarter of a century, is gathered within the folds of Yemen’s heritage, identity, humanity and civilization,
He thanked Katara for providing the opportunity to highlight Yemeni art and creativity.
In turn, artist Rafaida Al Shaibani said the exhibition ‘Transformations Through Art includes 24 plastic paintings distributed into three groups: the first represents the elements of the universe represented by earth, water, air and fire. The second reflects the ancient Yemeni Musnad script through which it expressed the culture and ancient history of Yemen, while the third group expressed Zahra Life, represented by creation and formation.
She pointed out that the exhibition embodies an inspiring media space, where it displays the journey of moving from the old reality to a new, brighter one with the best possibility possible through the idea of transformations through art.
The exhibition consists of expressive paintings of the journey of transition from the lowest to the highest, from darkness to light, and from death to life on different levels - physical, psychological, intellectual and emotional.