Exhibition showcases 51 Artworks, awards 10 artists with Issa Saqr Creative Prize
KUWAIT: The Al-Qurain Fine Arts Exhibition, a key component of the 31st Al-Qurain Cultural Festival, opened Tuesday at the Museum of Modern Art, featuring 51 artworks by 36 artists. Veteran Kuwaiti artist Jassim Buhamad, a pioneer of Kuwaiti fine art, was honored as the exhibition’s guest of honor.
The exhibition showcases works by 36 artists, with 10 receiving the Issa Saqr Creative Prize. Assistant Secretary-General for the Arts Sector at the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, Musaed Al-Zamil, said the exhibition, which runs until next Saturday, is one of the most important art exhibitions of the festival.
He described it as a meeting point for all artistic schools and a gathering of generations of pioneers, professionals, practitioners and amateurs.
“I am delighted to be here today at the Museum of Modern Art and to witness this beautiful gathering of diverse generations of pioneers, professionals, talented individuals, amateurs and creative thinkers in the field of fine arts,” he said.
Al-Zamil said the exhibition honors Jassim Buhamad, describing him as a man of character, manners and grace. “Truly, I am overjoyed to see him with us in every exhibition, in every gathering, and in every conversation, and with all the colleagues and friends who shared their spirit and successes in launching Kuwait to the highest levels,” he added.
Not just an artist
Buhamad founded and chaired several Kuwaiti art societies and established the Free Studio, playing a pivotal role in developing the fine arts movement in Kuwait. His studies in Paris contributed academic depth to his work, and his distinctive artistic style is recognized for its detailed portrayal of human figures and their relationship to place.
Buhamad is known for his dreamlike realism, which blends maritime and desert heritage with imagination. His work often focuses on people and their environment, reflecting nostalgia and documenting Kuwaiti customs and traditions.
Dr Riham Al-Rughaib, a researcher in the philosophy of fine art criticism, highlighted Buhamad as a prominent and pioneering figure in the Kuwaiti and Arab art scene, noting that a selection of his works on display explores heritage and identity from fresh perspectives. She added that Buhamad is not just an artist, but a storyteller, with each painting carrying a message and experience, blending traditional and modern elements.
Dr Al-Rughaib described the exhibition as a reflection of the creativity of Kuwait’s artistic community. “This exhibition is not merely a collection of artworks, but rather an embodiment of an artistic vision that seeks to enhance artistic and cultural communication and the exchange of experiences between artists and visitors,” she said.
Al-Zamil encouraged artists to continue contributing to the cultural scene. “The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters needs you, your initiatives, and your creativity,” he said. He noted that many artworks submitted were not selected due to limited space, not a lack of quality.
“There are wonderful paintings that we want to include, and we will give them the opportunity to present a magnificent exhibition,” he said. He urged artists who did not win awards to see participation itself as an incentive and emphasized the importance of mutual support within the artistic community.
“Literary, artistic and cultural minds must work together to achieve their goals. Without unity, it is impossible to advance culture,” he said.
