Modern Art Museum hosts exceptional memorial for the late Sami Muhammad

The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters hosted a memorial ceremony for the late Kuwaiti visual artist Sami Muhammad, honoring his creative career, which was rich with contributions, and commemorating his significant role in enriching the Kuwaiti and Arab visual arts movement over more than six decades. The event opened with remarks by Sara Khalaf Ibrahim, the coordinator and head of the Halls and Exhibitions Department, who welcomed His Excellencies the ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, the late artist’s family, and the distinguished attendees. She emphasized that in the face of such a profound absence, words fall short before the towering artistic and human stature of an individual whose impact remains indelible and whose imprint will never fade from the nation’s memory. She then invited the Secretary-General of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, Dr. Mohammed Khaled Al-Jassar, to deliver his speech.

In his address, Dr. Al-Jassar affirmed that the late Sami Muhammad left behind a rich artistic and human legacy through a unique creative journey in sculpture and painting, placing humanity at the center of contemplation and expression. He stated that the late artist, through his works, embodied human emotions and questions, drawing from the human form to convey profound artistic visions that expressed pain, resistance, and hope. His works stand as testaments to the richness of his experience and the depth of his human sensitivity. Al-Jassar added that Sami Muhammad’s legacy represents a living memory of the Kuwaiti visual arts movement and a visual and human archive for future generations. He noted the numerous honors and awards the late artist received at various Arab and international forums in recognition of his outstanding contributions. He clarified that the late artist’s distinction extended beyond his artistic creations to his noble human qualities, his humility, and his closeness to everyone. He affirmed that the late artist’s human presence was an authentic extension of his artistic presence, and that his influence will remain present in Kuwait’s cultural memory. Dr. Al-Jassar stressed the General Secretariat of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters’ commitment to preserving and documenting the late artist’s legacy, ensuring it remains a landmark of Kuwaiti culture and a reference for future generations, while expressing his sincere condolences and sympathies to the deceased’s family and loved ones.

For his part, Bashar Sami, the late artist’s son, delivered a speech on behalf of the family, expressing profound gratitude and appreciation to all who participated in honoring his father and commemorating his artistic and human journey. He affirmed that the late artist left an indelible mark on the history of Kuwaiti visual arts, making his art a message that embodies the nation’s identity and narrates the features of its civilization and history. He said that his father had harbored a passion for sculpture since childhood, marking the beginning of a long journey of creativity and contribution. During this journey, he drew inspiration from the desert, the art of Sadu, and Arab authenticity, and from the sea, the struggle of Kuwaitis and their pursuit of livelihood, to embody in his works the nation’s history and authentic heritage.

Bashar added that the late artist embraced issues of humanity and its struggles in his artistic experience, making his sculptures expressions of human dignity, pain, and resilience. For him, art was the voice of the voiceless and a human message that transcended the boundaries of space and time. He pointed out that the support provided by Kuwait to culture, arts, and creators had a significant impact on his father’s career and on the renaissance of the Kuwaiti visual arts movement. He explained that the late artist was keen to establish the Maryam House in the heart of Kuwait as an expression of his gratitude to his homeland and a repayment of its kindness, ensuring it remains an artistic edifice that houses his creative legacy and links Kuwait’s ancient past with its present. Bashar affirmed that his father’s passing does not mean the absence of his influence; his sculptures and paintings will remain as testaments to the journey of an artist who believed that art is an immortal memory, and that every artistic work carries the story of a nation and a human experience worthy of being told to future generations.

The memorial ceremony featured a documentary that traced the late artist Sami Mohammed’s career, highlighting key artistic and humanitarian milestones, and shedding light on his creative journey and contributions to the visual arts. The event also included a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Nasser Al-Rafai, with participation from artists Jassem Bu Hamad and Bashar Sami Mohammed, and engineer Sabah Al-Rais, dedicated to commemorating the late artist’s career, emphasizing his artistic and humanitarian legacy, and underscoring his stature within Kuwait’s visual arts scene.