Gulf Art Unit

Unity is that strong bond, conscious of the region’s history, heritage, and diverse components—be they environmental, agricultural, or economic—upon which the Gulf states and their creators have relied since ancient times. From the beginnings thousands of years ago, we find that the innate artist executed many handmade works needed for daily life, thus crafting large jars (“Al-Houb”) or jars of various sizes and measures to store water, and even producing earthen ovens (“Al-Tannour”) for baking bread or cooking “Mandi” inside. They also excelled in handicraft art, where the Gulf person—the artisan, creator, and talented individual—over the centuries produced many handmade works, from weaving fabrics and preparing wool threads that were the basis of textiles like “Sadou,” clothing, cloaks, and shawls. They also excelled in producing sculptural works on wood, as seen in doors, and were distinguished by their gypsum decorations on buildings, such as in the ornamentation of mosques, palaces, houses, and mosques. They mastered the production of windows and doors, and even managed to leave their mark on crafting tools needed for domestic life, from cooking or agricultural tools to sewing and weaving. Through their innate talent and spontaneity, and by the grace of God who granted them this talent, they achieved works, some of which are found in Gulf museums, both governmental and private, embodying manual skill, creative mind, and precision in work. If we saw how the Gulf artist created his works, we would raise the “Iqal” in appreciation for the beauty and art he produced in all cases. Even today, we find the Gulf artist’s works beginning to spread to global sites, and his works garner interest and acquisition in local and Western exhibitions.

Hence, it is worth noting the importance of the Gulf artist receiving more appreciation, attention, and acquisition from various entities. Thus, we find that Gulf art, in particular, embodies and represents art in the Gulf within a unity that continues to renew itself day after day.

This being said, how wonderful and distinguished the “Art Across the Arabian Gulf” exhibition was—truly a dazzling exhibition in which an elite group of Gulf artists participated, some of whom have passed away and others who still represent their homeland with their renewed works. This exhibition documented a great and amazing “artistic heritage.” Undoubtedly, the credit for its organization is due to the blessing of God and with all appreciation and esteem for the non-profit Misk Foundation and the Misk Arts Institute and the work team—management, male and female workers. Consequently, the exhibition achieved the goals of its organization and holding in “Riyadh,” the capital of creativity in the Gulf.