Originality and history meet at the Stone Sculpture Forum in Sadad

 With its deeply rooted history, ancient churches, solid stones, and its people who defied the terrorists of ISIS, Sadad hosted eleven plastic artists representing different governorates to participate in the Stone Sculpture Forum entitled “Sadad of Originality and History.”

The forum, which was carried out  by the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Homs, Hama and Tartous, in cooperation with the Syrian Plastic Artists Union and the Sadad Youth Team, lasted for ten days, producing eleven artistic sculptures on basalt stones and the solid white Palmyrene stone that characterizes Sadad.

Talking about the forum and the significance of holding it in Sadad, Eng. Muhammad Irfan Abu al-Shamat, head of the General Union of Plastic Artists said, “Art, in its various forms, is a global language, and sculptural gatherings represent the civilization of every country. Syria is proud of this beautiful visual cultural event that brings great sculptors together in a historically ancient town like Sadad.”

Imad Kashout, Director of Fine Arts at the Ministry of Culture, affirmed the ministry’s support for any cultural initiative that encourages plastic art in order to spread visual culture in our society.

He described Sadad as a city, which is rich in archeology and culture, and its squares deserve to be adorned with the works of creative artists, hoping that these activities will spread in all governorates.

Archbishop Martimothy Mata al-Khoury, patron of the Diocese of Homs, Hama and Tartous, confirms that the forum is a message from Syria to the whole world that our country was and will remain a cradle of art, culture and beauty, and that through sculptures presented by distinguished artists at the forum during a very short period, we were able to summarize all the civilizations that affirm  the cultural richness of our country.

The forum director, plastic artist Hassan Halawani, stated that Sadad was chosen to host this forum because of its historical nobility 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 sculpture on the white Palmyrene stone in a literal abstraction style, representing an obelisk with the Syriac letter engraved on it, which is the basis of the Aramaic language that symbolizes our deep roots in history.

The plastic 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 entitled (The Lady of Olives). His work depicts a human face wrapped with olive leaves, embodying the abundance of this tree in (Sadad), which symbolizes fertility and goodness.

Plastic artist Muhammad Baajano made a dual sculpture in the form of a bird of prey and a wild horse entitled “Strength and Authenticity”, stressing that Sadad, like other cities, resisted, withstood and challenged the invaders’ attempts to destroy its rich heritage.

The plastic artist, Gandhi Khader, from Hama Governorate, showed his pleasure to participate in the forum that shows the integration of Syrian culture through its artists. He pointed out that he adopted the symbolic abstract method to complete his artistic work with the aim of raising the plastic art culture and making the viewer think about what is meant by the work.

Dr. Samir Rahma , a professor in the Department of Sculpture at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Damascus, and one of the participants saw that such forums are an opportunity for sculptors to meet and interact with each other and with the hosting community.

Rahma stressed that the forum is a space of hope, joy and love, and a small nucleus for a large integrated cultural project that includes sculpting workshops for young and old alike throughout Syria.

For his part, the plastic artist, Waddah Salameh, expressed his happiness to participate in the forum with a sculptural work in the form of a bird entitled “Guardian of the Precious Jewel”, in reference to Sadad the desert jewel that these works will adorn because it deserves .

From Tartous, the plastic artist Alaa Muhammad came to participate in the forum with a sculptural work on the white stone entitled (Historical Gradation), during which he expressed the historical stages that this city went through.

Plastic artist Aksam Al-Salloum participated with a sculpture taking the form of a woman trying to rise despite the pain. He said, “It represents Syria, the strong mother who is clinging to her land.”

From As-Sweida, the plastic artist Osama Amasha participated in the forum with a sculpture on the Homsi basalt stone, using symbols such as fish that signify fertility, giving and goodness.

During the forum, the curtain was unveiled on the statue of the late Archbishop Marcellus Boutros Al-Nama, which is a sculpture by the plastic artist Hisham El-Gado from Deir Ez-Zour city.

Amal Farhat