“A Space of Hope” collective exhibition highlights Old Damascus

The neighborhoods, alleys and houses of old Damascus, which are considered a symbol of civilization and heritage, were depicted  in the “A Space of Hope” (Fushat Amal) collective exhibition held recently at Abu Rummana Cultural Center  in Damascus .

The exhibition, which is organized by the Damascus Culture Directorate, included 55 paintings presented by 18 talented male and female artists. The paintings were drawn in various artistic styles depicting still life, Damascene alleys, Arabic calligraphy, women and nature.

Plastic artist Raghda Saeed, the organizer of the exhibition told “Syria Times” that the exhibition is the result of a workshop entitled “Al-Sham is  a History and a Civilization”, in a reference to the historical importance of Damascus and Syria in general.

“The workshop lasted for a month at the cultural center and then it was crowned by an exhibition that showcased all the accomplished artworks. The workshop increased the experience of the talented artists, as they became more skillful in using oil colors, pastels, inks, acrylics in coloring their drawings” she added.

Raghda Saeed pointed out that the participants also learned during the workshop how to use other techniques as collage and knife and how to draw in different styles and methods within the artistic schools.

She said that the workshop provided the participants with good experience and help them exchange ideas within an optimistic atmosphere, so that the exhibition was called “Space of Hope.”

Plastic artist and engineer Seham Mhesen displayed two oil colors paintings using using a knife technique related to classical and abstract schools.

The first painting features an old man and his sewing machine which he considered as his friend and his sources of support. The second painting  shows a woman expressing emotions through her eyes.

Seham said: “I used cheerful earthy colors that express inner feeling . I am always optimistic and always have a space of hope. The exhibition expresses hope and the participating artists are creative and talented and each one of them has his own way in expressed hope through his drawings. Therefore, we can see that the exhibition included diverse paintings”.

“Participation in collective exhibitions provides the artist with experience and enhances cooperation between the participating artists” she added.

For her part, Plastic artist Ghaida Al-Hindi displays one painting that shows a horse as is a symbol of vigor, pride and the continuity of life.

“I used oil colors. I always participate in collective exhibitions because artists cooperate with each other, exchange experiences and be familiar with other artists works” She said.

Prominent plastic artist Muhammad Dabour  participated with three earthy oil colors paintings showing the beautiful neighborhoods of old Damascus and roses.

“All my paintings belong to the realistic school and they document the old neighborhoods of Damascus. I participate in this exhibition to encourage the younger generation because collective exhibitions bring together different generations” he said.

Rana Al-Taani participated with four paintings using acrylic colors, three of them showed the Damascene neighborhoods and the fourth featured a landscape.

Rana used  acrylic colors of earth in a geometric perspective way to give more depth and 3 dimensional space to the paintings using the brush and the knife in her drawings.

Rana, who participated in several collective exhibitions, sees that such events provide her with more experience to improve her talent.

Reported  and photos by : Nada Haj Khidr