Artists revive the features of the old marine environment at the 'Plastic Arts Association'

The Kuwait Association for Plastic Arts hosted the exhibition “The Ancient Marine Environment” at its headquarters in the Hawalli area, under the patronage of Qusai Al-Shatti, Honorary Member of the Association, and Salem Al-Kharji, President of the Association, along with board members and participants, in collaboration with the Kuwait Association for Old Crafts. The event highlighted the features of Kuwait’s marine environment and its rich historical heritage and authentic traditional crafts.

Al-Jarida spoke with a group of participants to learn about the importance of the exhibition and its role in reviving Kuwait’s marine memory, preserving folk heritage, and transmitting it to new generations. The first interviewee was Kamil Al-Qallaf, treasurer of the Kuwait Association for Old Crafts and a specialist in shipbuilding, who expressed his happiness at participating in the exhibition. He emphasized that recalling Kuwait’s marine environment represents an important opportunity to introduce the history of ancestors and the professions and crafts associated with it, which formed an essential part of life in Kuwait in the past.

For her part, artist Ilham Bin Hajj explained that she participated in the exhibition with a painting depicting features of Kuwait’s ancient marine environment, from the making of fishing nets and boats to women waiting for their loved ones to return from the sea.

Artist Ibrahim Al-Balushi evoked scenes of past marine life through two paintings addressing fishery methods and the tools relied upon by sailors and fishermen in the past, including “Al-Tarouf” and “Al-Qarqour.” He presented an artistic treatment that highlights details of Kuwait’s maritime heritage and underscores its authenticity and distinctiveness.

Artist Badriya Al-Kandari stated that she participated with a painting depicting the craft of making fishing nets and the boats used in fishing, considering them traditional professions linked to Kuwait’s marine environment in the past. She explained that she used oil colors to highlight work details and inform viewers about this aspect.

Artist Khaloud Kharbit chose to document in her painting the scene of a fisherman returning from the sea, drawing inspiration from details of marine life. She employed oil colors to bring this heritage scene to life.

For her part, artist Amal Al-Mutairi explained that her participation in the exhibition includes a diverse collection of artworks inspired by the artifacts of Failaka Island, including ceramic pieces, murals, and plastic art paintings, in an artistic experience that combines authenticity and creativity. She noted that the exhibition also features a comprehensive pavilion for old Kuwaiti crafts, in which she participates alongside a group of enthusiasts of traditional crafts.

Artist Abdullah Al-Otaibi participated with a watercolor painting inspired by the Kuwaiti environment, focusing on the marine setting and the traditional professions and crafts associated with it, foremost among them the historical shipbuilding industry. Al-Otaibi was keen on evoking the spirit of the past in the details of his painting.

Artist Hashem Karam mentioned that he participated with two paintings executed using acrylic colors, addressing traditional fishing tools in Kuwait’s marine environment, including “Al-Tarouf” and “Al-Qarqour.” He affirmed his commitment to participating in art exhibitions that contribute to highlighting Kuwaiti heritage and documenting its details.

Artist Yaqoub Youssef Ibrahim explained that his participation in the exhibition featured a watercolor painting depicting a fishery scene using traditional Sambuk boats, relying on a realistic style to portray the scene.