Seventy-five young people embody their dreams, ideas, and aspirations for the future in the exhibition “Obour”

Al-Zahrawi Palace hosted the “Obour,” (crossing) exhibition, which was organized by the Harmony Cultural Forum in cooperation with the Union of Fine Artists, Homs Branch.

The exhibition included 130 artworks that varied between oil paintings, photography and sculpture, where 75 young men and women depicted the years of war they lived through with artworks that included their dreams, ideas, and future aspirations.

Director of the Harmony Cultural Forum, Kamel Awad, said that the exhibition is an opportunity for young artists to display their artwork and express what they experienced during the war.

Marina Kasuha, Executive Director of the Forum, said, “15 artists, representing the   Fine Artists Union, supervised and followed up the works of 75 young men and women and provided them with support so that each artist could express his vision and feelings in his own style and artistic outlook.

She went on to say, “I participated with 11 artworks that depict the years of war we lived through and how we achieved peace again despite the pain we went through”.

The artist, Maysa Al-Ali, pointed out, “We started about three months ago with lectures and seminars related to the crossing of Syrians from war to peace.

I was supervising six trainees, some drew a painting, and others drew two acrylic paintings . The painting depicts houses and windows in some destroyed neighborhoods with some signs and implications that emphasize Hope.”

Artist Rami Darwish said, “I participated with three artworks. The sculpture dealt with several comprehensive ideas depicting the suffering of ten years of war that we lived through while giving hope for a better future.

I showed through my artistic work that awareness had a significant role in overcoming the critical times that our country went through and only fate stood by our side in this tragedy. The sculptural work depicts one hand preventing war and the other hand holding the beacon, (Syrian identity) with a bridge connecting them to cross.

As artists, our role is to strengthen this bridge to cross through towards hope, art, and beauty.”

Salam Tulaimat said, “My participation in the exhibition is a valuable opportunity to express what we have lived during the past ten years of war and to translate our feelings and emotions into a painting that bears peace.”

Jaber Tabaa, participant and supervisor in the photography department, within a team of four talented photographers who participated with 14 paintings that tell dreams from the reality of the war we lived in.

The artist Tabaa explained, “I participated in the exhibition to prove that despite all the difficult circumstances, there are many young people who were able to make real achievements, even if they were simple, but they are considered distinguished achievements.”

Abd al-Salam Shablut, a supervisor in the photography department, said, “I supervised a number of talented photographers where we participated in brainstorming sessions,  watched works and pictures of famous artists, and drew inspiration from them.

Then we conducted practical application sessions in various neighborhoods, took pictures, and completed a video that was shown in the exhibition in addition to positive shots with hopeful music.”

Khaldoun Shadoud stated, “My participation started a month and a half ago as I was a supervisor in one of the sculpture departments with three professors, and the results were wonderful. I interacted with the students and their ideas visually, and I understood their opinion and personal experience. I participated in the exhibition with a sculptural work that expressed two opposite forces.

Maan Jabbour said, “My participation in the Obour exhibition is the first, which I consider a valuable opportunity. I presented two paintings about children and peace.”

Linda Layous participated with four paintings, one of which embodied the group of financial forces that control humans, including money and greed that cause wars and crises.

Amal Farhat