Genuineness and history meet in Sadad at the Stone Sculpture Forum
Homs (ST): Sadad, with its ancient history, ancient churches, solid stones, and residents who defied the terrorists of ISIS, hosted eleven artists from different governorates to participate in the Stone Sculpture Forum entitled (Sadad, Heritage and History).
The forum, which was set up by the Diocese of Homs, Hama, Tartous and its Dependencies for the Syriac Orthodox, in cooperation with the Union of Syrian Artists and the Sadad Youth Team, lasted for ten days to present eleven artistic sculptures on basalt stones and the solid white Palmyrene stone that characterizes Sadad.
About the forum and the purpose of its holding in Sadad, Engineer Muhammad Irfan Abu Al-Shamat, head of the General Union of Artists, said that art in its various colors is an international language, and sculptural gatherings represent the civilized face of every country and Syria is proud of this beautiful visual cultural event that brings together the great sculptors in the ancient town of Sadad.
For his part, Imad Kashout, Director of Fine Arts at the Ministry of Culture, affirmed the ministry’s support for any cultural initiative that encourages plastic art to spread visual culture in our society, describing Sadad as a city rich in archaeology and culture.
Artist Hassan Halawani, artistic director of the forum, stated that Sadad was chosen because of its nobility in history and to give this desert city an aesthetic spirit that is added to its beauty, so the sculptural works were inspired by the spirit of the place.
Regarding his participation in the forum, Halawani explained that he presented a carving on the white Palmyrene stone in a literal abstract style, representing an obelisk with the Syriac letter engraved on it, which is the basis of the Aramaic language and symbolizes our deep roots in history.
Regarding his participation in the forum, artist Aktham Abdel Hamid explained that he came from the city of Ugarit to participate in a sculptural work on the antique black basalt stone titled “The Lady of Olives” in the form of a human face wrapped in olive leaves because he saw the abundance of this tree in (Sadad), which symbolizes fertility and goodness.
Artist Muhammad Bajano participated in a sculpture in the form of a bird of prey and a wild horse entitled (Strength and Authenticity), believing that Sadad, like other cities, resisted and steadfastly challenged the invaders’ attempts to destroy its rich heritage.
Artist Gandhi Khader from Hama governorate expressed his happiness to participate in the forum that shows the blending of Syrian culture through its artists, pointing out that he worked in his sculptural work on the symbolic abstract trend with the aim of raising the fine culture and leaving the recipient to ask and think what is meant by the work.
For his part, artist, Waddah Salameh, expressed his happiness to participate in the forum with a sculptural work in the form of a bird that used stone and iron in its composition to give it an additional luster, titled (Guardian of the Precious Jewel) in reference to the desert jewel that these works will adorn because they deserve it.
During the forum, the curtain was unveiled on the statue of the late Archbishop Marcellus Boutros Al-Nama, which is the work of the plastic artist from Deir Ezzour, Hisham El-Gado.
K.Q.