The distinct style of pioneering Qatari artist Salman Al-Malik impressed a large number of members of the local art community who thronged the launch of his solo show dubbed “Direction” at Al Markhiya Gallery at the Fire Station on Tuesday.

More than four decades Al Malik had spent in exploring and perfecting his craft is summarised in 30 of his latest acrylic paintings on display at the exhibition which opened to a warm response from art connoisseurs and enthusiasts.

“This exhibition for me is a very exceptional work because Salman is one of the pioneer artists in the art movement here in Qatar who exhibits a very special style outside of the ordinary,” Dr Bahaa Abudaya, curator of contemporary art at the Fire Station, told The Peninsula.

In particular, Dr Abudaya lauded the artist’s vision of presenting Qatar and Qatari daily life in a traditional manner while staying faithful to his own unique style.

“Salman is somebody who always looks at the essence of the human being. If you look at his human figures, all of them are the same; barely we could see the face. His intention is to focus on the human being devoid of colour, background or race,” he observed.

Born in 1958, Salman received a BA in Education and Art from Cairo University and has exhibited his works in many countries around the world in the past 40 years such as the US, the UK, Turkey, France, Spain, Morocco and in many parts of the Arab world.

His works have been acquired by various institutions including the National Museum of Qatar, Los Angeles Contemporary Museum of Art, Mathaf Arab Museum of Modern Art, French Cultural Centre and a number of private companies, among others.

Al Malik has been featured numerous times by Al Markhiya Gallery, the oldest privately owned gallery in the country and the first private gallery hosted at the Fire Station which is pivotal in supporting and promoting local artists.

“Supporting the Qatari talent is one of our main goals. Half of our resident artists are Qataris. We have our studios — one in Paris and another in New York — where we send young Qatari artists because we do believe it is the best way to give them the chance to see and discover new ways of presenting their identity,” said Abudaya.

He stressed the Fire Station’s leading role in providing a platform for artists by encouraging them to think outside the box experimenting new and creative ways in art production through its Artist in Residence programme.

The exhibition is open to the public until November 23.

Source: The Peninsula

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