The article entitled "OP-ED COLUMNIST; Driving Miss Saudi" by MAUREEN DOWD (Published: March 14, 2010) mentions Oasis Magazine's "O" exhibition.
Also in the Qatar Tribune:
And, in the Indian Gazette:
Sunday, 14 March 2010
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
"O" Exhibition Review by Hassan Mansouri
On February 5th, 2010, Riyadh witnessed a rare breakthrough in the culture of modern day Saudi Arabia. Oasis, an internationally published magazine based in Riyadh, hosted an art exhibition that featured a range of artistic displays, from pictures, to paintings, and even short animation clips. The art exhibited was mainly that of the contributors of the Oasis magazine.
Historically, Arabs were major contributors to many great scientific innovations, medical advances and artistic movements. Unfortunately, it has become no longer common to hear about notable Arabic contributions to these fields, among others. The art exhibition that Oasis held aimed to reverse this trend, and highlight the often-unrecognized talent within the Arab world. It was a stepping-stone to the future of art in Saudi Arabia. Many of the featured artists were locals possessing amazing creative skill. These skills would have remained veiled had it not been for the gallery.
The exhibition was opened by HRH Prince Saud bin Khalid bin Faisal Al Saud. He, was accompanied by the director of Oasis magazine, some artists and the media, toured the gallery and thus inaugurated one of the first public art exhibitions that supported over 25 local artists in the capital of Saudi Arabia.
There was a wide range of creative expression among the artists, but a common theme hovered around the gallery – the Arab world. Paintings of women covered in their traditional headscarves and men in their local Saudi thobes were among some of the pieces presented. One large blue painting displayed Arab men and women amidst falling snowflakes that, according to the artist, represented an undercurrent of change coming to the kingdom. A picture of a local building within a sea of blurred lights attracted many onlookers and elicited many comments from the visitors.
All in all, the exhibition was a great success. The media response was very positive. The exhibition attendees were very pleased, and praised the effort put into the gallery. Furthermore, the success of the exhibition evoked an air of hopeful anticipation for future artistic contributions made on behalf of young Arab talent that will allow them to push them to the forefront of the artistic field. Perhaps this will serve as a first step in reestablishing themselves as cultural leaders in a manner that is reminiscent of Arab history.
We are all eagerly waiting to know when the next gallery will be held, and we all hope for it to be sooner, rather than later…
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Friday, 5 February 2010
Amal Saud - One of the "O" artists :)
Amal Saud at the "O" Exhibition (published in Layalina)
Amal Saud, one of the artists chosen to be a part of Oasis Magazine's first art exhibition, is an expert in digital art in Saudi Arabia and has taught in this field. Oasis connected her to an art education workshop for children that made headlines. Amal joined other Saudi artists in this workshop on art education where children were given direction to create works of art and thus showed the importance of art education and how much it stimulates children. The workshop was organized by: the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), Bab Rizq Jameel (ALJ) both of whom are sponsors of Edge of Arabia.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Friday, 22 January 2010
The Invite
Oasis Magazine invites you to attend the first annual "O" art exhibition. The opening ceremony of "O" will take place on the 27th of January at L'Art Pur Gallery* in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Over 25 young and emerging artists will be participating in this first exhibition. The artists are from all over Saudi Arabia and from around the region. Oasis Magazine aims to support emerging artists from the region by exposing their work throughout the region and internationally.
Under the patronage of HRH Prince Saud bin Khalid Al Faisal
Opening on the 27th of January at 8:00 pm
(Wednesday by invites only - For invites, email: info@oasis-mag.com)
28th of January- 2nd of February
10:00 am - 12:00 pm & 5:00 - 9:00 pm
Special Thanks to "O" Sponsors:
Title Sponsors: PepsiCo Inc., Arts & Skills Institute, The American Embassy
Gold Sponsors: SwiCorp, Zoom Creative, Marina Inc.
Delicious Sponsors (making their debut): Framboise & Olive, Yummy Tummy
*L'Art Pur Gallery is on Takhasussi Street, next to The Electricity Building
For directions call: 01 - 2011549
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