Sculptor Mohannad Moua’lla: “The Syrians are Peace Lovers”

“The Syrians are peace lovers. They invest every opportunity to create hope, joy and peace, and because Syria is the cradle of civilizations, arts and sciences, the Syrian artists have managed during the crisis in the country to turn stones and rocks into most wonderful works of art, Syrian sculptor and painter Mohannad Moua’lla said in a statement to the Syriatimes e-newspaper.

Moualla, who is also a soldier in the Syrian Arab army from the Syrian province of Tartous, has developed his skill in sculpturing to serve his homeland.

When artist Moua’lla joined the Syrian Arab Army to defend the homeland, he took up arms with one hand and the chisel of his art with the other. He used to invest his free time to turn the trenches and tunnels of fighting in Jobar in Damascus countryside,  where the terrorists used to hide, into a gallery for works depicting victory, steadfastness and strong will.

 “I believe that art should be understood and be close to all people. It should touch upon their situation. Sculpture, however, has a visual artistic message that speaks in multiple languages in a single theme. It focuses on reality and avoids abstraction and symbolism” Moua’lla said.

“Throughout centuries, fine artists have been witnesses to eras. They have played a very important role at all times, not just at the time of war, especially the Syrian artists who have a great and deep-rooted country and who can through visual arts deliver strong important messages,” said Moua’lla, adding that fine art gives art to generations and serves as an archive for events.

On the beginning of his artistic career, he said “my first sculpture works were produced before the war being waged on Syria. However, joining the ranks of the hero Syrian Arab Army and working as a commercial navigation officer helped me visit many European countries to learn more  about the experiences of art and sculpture. It also “motivated me to return to my favorite hobby.”

Moua’lla underscored that he chose the tunnel in Jobar to do sculpture works in order to send the world a message through sculptures saying that “the Syrian Arab Army’s soldiers can turn what terrorism has done to spread death and destruction into a beacon for spreading hope and beauty and that they can turn the tunnel from a place for death industry into a place for life making.”

“It is true that the Syrian people are affected and hurt by the war, but they never die,” he said.

His first work in the tunnel after the complete liberation of Eastern Ghouta by the Syrian Army, was titled “Steadfastness” followed by “Syria is Recovering”.

Last year, Sculptor Moua’lla established “Aram” for Fine Arts team in cooperation with the plastic artist Anas Qatramiz.

The name “Aram” was chosen to refer to Syria’s deep-rooted civilization and the cultural heritage of the wonderful Aramaic era, according to the founder of Aram team, which includes 18 artists from different governorates.

“The team aims at sending a message to the entire world that Syria is a country of  civilization, steadfastness and peace. Syria  will not die and will not succumb thanks to its steadfast and united people, who love life and defend it,” Moua’lla highlighted.

“The team is currently preparing a collection of wonderful sculpture works to shed light on the Syrian Arab Army’s heroism and victories and to stress that Syria will remain the country of culture and civilization” he added.

Moualla has recently presented portrait sculptures of a number of Syrian dignitaries who have brave and honorable stances in defense of their homeland in the past and during the crisis in Syria, such as late president Hafez al-Assad and Dr. Bashar al-Jaafari, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the UN.  

“Joining the Syrian Arab Army has made it difficult for me to hold or participate in exhibitions inside Syria and abroad, but I hope that when security and stability fully return to the homeland, I will devote myself to art and present the works that reflect my deep belonging to my country,” sculptor Moua’lla concluded.

Interviewed by : Rawaa Ghanam