Diverse Sculptures in the 3rd exhibition of Syrian sculptors at the Blue House Gallery in Damascus

The 3rd Exhibition of Syrian Sculptors was held this month at the Blue House Gallery in Damascus with the participation of 24 male and female sculptors, each of them is displaying one artwork.

The sculptors showcased various works using diverse materials and subjects that reflect the multiplicity of generations to which the participants belong, creating a state of visual richness of beauty.

Sculptor Mustafa Al-Ali participated with a bronze sculpture showing a male and a female. The work depicts the relationship between two people and symbolizes eternity.

Al-Ali told Syriatimes: “This bronze work cannot be made of wood or stone because it may break or burn. I take into account the nature of the material”.

He told Syria Times that he was born to be a sculptor as he has been practicing sculpture for more than thirty years since he was child.

“The talent appeared since I was a child and my family encouraged me. I studied at the College of Fine Arts in 1974 and graduated in 1979, specializing in sculpture”, Al-Ali clarified.

“The most important thing in the art of sculpture is the idea, then choosing appropriate material for the idea so that the material embodies what the artist can express as much as possible, then the sculptor turns the idea into an artwork” he added.

“I use different material in my sculptures including  iron, bronze, wood, polyester and chrome in a way that serves the idea. This collective exhibition is a good opportunity  for dialogue between the participating sculptors and for exchanging ideas and learning about diversity. The exhibition displays sculptures made of wood, cardboard, marble, bronze, basalt, and various materials. The diversity creates a beautiful atmosphere, and the audience also learns about the importance and beauty of sculpture” the sculptor Al-Ali went on to say.

“Sculpture is an ancient art in our country. we have sculptures that date back to thousands of years, and the modern art is a continuation of the ancient one”, he pointed out.

For his part, the participanting sculptor Badie Jahjah told Syria Times that the exhibition is an opportunity for sculptors to get acquainted with each other’s experiences, to display different works, to exchange experiences and to make people familiar with their sculptures.

“I display four bronze sculptures of dancing dervishes (members of a Sufi fraternity) in this exhibition, and the message they carry is that we are dervishes (Simple people) in front of the things that destroy the soul” sculptor Badie Jahjah said.

“The dervish dancing represents love in all its forms, relationship with the creator, relationship with humans, giving, the relationship with nature, self-knowledge, contemplation and peace” he added.

“It was very important for me, since I am a specialist, to say through the dervish sculptures that whirling is a mixture of cultures and religions that aims at uniting us. I tried to present my works in a special style that expresses humanity and the boundless.” Badie Jahjah clarified.

The artist Badie has been practicing sculpture for ten years and he held exhibitions in Beirut and Dubai. He only used bronze in his sculptures because for him the bronze lasts longer.

He pointed out that the collective exhibition is an opportunity for sculptors from different generations to meet, exchange experiences and share knowledge.

Sculptor Hadi Obeid participated in the exhibition with a marble work, which embodies a harp with fishes on it. He explained that “it is a surreal state. The harp is a musical state in harmony with life. The fish express marine music”.

He said: “Participation in this exhibition adds new experience for each of us. We can see new works for other artists. Sometimes, the place inspires me with the idea of ​​the sculpture”.

Obeid, who has been practicing sculpture for twenty years, used wood, marble and stone in his works. He has participated in several exhibitions inside and outside Syria, including in Spain.

Interviews and photos by : Nada Haj Khidr