“Damascus, the Capital of the history” exhibition documents   old Damascus 

The plastic art exhibition entitled “Damascus, the Capital of the history” was opened at the Arab Cultural Center of Abou Rumaneh in Damascus, with the participation of the visual artists: Ali Al-Saadi, Muhammad Dabour, Muwafaq Al-Masri, Muhammad Ghunem, and Muhammad Zain Kouki.

The exhibition includes 40  paintings that depict the heritage of Damascus including fashion, architecture, cafes, Sarouja  and Kanwat Market, architecture, Arabian horses.

Artist Ali Al-Saadi is participating with 15 paintings in oil and acrylic colors and different sizes that embody the old neighborhoods that reflect the history and ancient civilization of Damascus.

“We are five artists who formed a team called Jasmine of Damascus. Our goal is to depict  the alleys and neighborhoods of Damascus and revive the history of Damascus and  convey it to the new generations to come” he said.

“All of our paintings are realistic and we drew them from the neighborhoods of Damascus” Ali Al-Saadi added .

Participant artist, Muwafaq Al-Masri displayed  a number of realistic paintings documenting old Damascene houses using oil paints.His aim is to preserve the local heritage of Damascus.

Plastic artist Mohammad Dabbour who displayed 10 drawings told Syria times that the exhibition and its title embodied Damascus and its old neighborhoods.

“In my paintings, I draw the neighborhoods of Al-Amara Al-Sawaf Al-Qaymariyya, the neighborhood of Al-Ward, and the neighborhood of Al-Sabaa Twali’” he said.

“I used oil colors. We, the five artists, wanted to shed light on the neighborhoods of old Damascus and its civilization, because of the importance of preserving  our material heritage and the beauty of the city of Damascus.”

For his part, participant Muhammad Zain Kouki ,displayed 7 paintings related to realistic schools  that depicted old Damascene alleys. He sees  that the exhibition is diverse, each artist has his own style and each painting has its own aesthetic.

“ It is a documentation exhibition of the old neighborhoods of Damascus so that we can remember and acquaint  new generations with  the antiquities and heritage of old Damascus” he said.

The five talented artists painted the gates of Damascus and its river when it passed through its alleys. They also embodied ancient industries such as blown glass.

Interviewed and photos : Nada Haj Khidr