Doha-based Malaysian painter Patrick Rozario is embarking today on a four-month art project as part of which several children will come together to paint 11 pieces of art for the families of those who lost their lives in the Villaggio fire on May 28. Rozario, who has been a Doha resident for the last eight years regularly exhibits his works of art, and is commonly identified by his personal brand ‘Own A Rozario’. He said the paintings are to be gifted to the parents and next-of-kin of the fire victims. Organised and facilitated by Rozario and his son Ronak Noel Patric, a student at Birla Public School, the art project includes 11 books for drawings, personal messages and poems. “The whole objective of the mission is to show that art must have a purpose and we also wanted to show that children in Qatar care for the lost ones and they really miss each of those 19 people, including the 13 children who lost their lives,” he said. The painting sessions, said Rozario, will be held in several locations. The first two sessions are at the artist’s residence in Mansoura this morning (for enquiries call Rozario on 55751450). The second session is scheduled for July 14. Additional venues will be decided, as organisations or individuals come forward to provide a location. “The paintings and art book will be hand delivered to the parents who are still in Qatar. For those who have left Qatar, we will courier them to their current addresses. We will be in touch with the respective embassies or consular office for their details,” said the artist. These pieces will be co-created by several children and in no way is a singular effort, said Rozario. Draft paintings and reference images have been created to guide the children There will a total of 11 books (21cm x 15cm closed), where each book will be dedicated to one person (or family of children) who was lost in the tragedy. The first child will take home one of the books and use 1-2 pages to draw, write a personal message or short poem. This book will be taken to the next child. The book will travel from one child to another, until it is complete. The same process will be followed for all 11 books. The inaugural painting session today will be done at the apartment lobby, which can accommodate up to 40 children. Children need to come in at 9.30 for a short briefing. Painting will start at 10am. About 35 children have confirmed for the opening session. “They include Qataris as well as expatriates,” said the artist. Reference images and mood boards are available to help children paint. Four paintings will be done for the opening session and there will be adult teachers to guide the children. The prominent theme for the paintings is ‘Children releasing colorful balloons into the sky’, said Rozario. More info on: http://artxplorers.wordpress.com/category/art-with-a-purpose-gift-to-doha-fire-victims/ Patric Rozario hails from Kuala Lumpur Malaysia and has been living in Qatar for 8 years. He currently teaches art to adults and children (beginners and amateurs), through his entity called Art Explorers. Gulf Times

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