Doha: Eighteen of the latest paintings by Qatari artist Jawaher Al Mannai are on show at a virtual exhibition launched by the Cultural Village Foundation - Katara on its official website recently.
Titled “Trace,” the exhibition showcases Al Mannai’s abstract paintings, most of which were inspired by carvings found in archaelogical sites north of Qatar, which are traces that tell of how people in the country lived in the remote past.
“The subject of my paintings was inspired by the trace that a person leaves and through which we learn about it, as civilisations were known through monuments and sculptures that had been found,” said the artist.
“Indeed man shall return to dust from which he was created, leaving behind his trace that we see today, as the trace of civilisation living through generations. Books, inventions, creations of different types represent beautiful human traces that immortalize his soul,” she added.
Al Mannai is a visual artist who focuses on creating abstract paintings through experimentation with different materials, mediums and symbols. She has loved and practised art from her early age. She aims to show Qatari women’s creativity reflecting on day-to-day social norms as she believes that art is a way of life.
“Trace” is the seventh virtual exhibition presented by Katara. It follows “The Unreachable Mirage” featuring 20 paintings by another Qatari artist Masoud Al Bulushi which combine realism and abstraction and depict portraits of women wearing traditional face covering which is the batoola.
Previously, Katara also launched virtual exhibitions including “Heritage” featuring works by Hassan Bu Jassoum reflecting important aspects of Qatari culture and heritage, “Patches” by Syrian contemporary artist Hadi Qasous showcasing 16 paintings in which he integrates calligraphy into stunning colours and shapes, and “Culture Collision” by Hassan Taleb Alsalat which displays 14 interesting artworks that place famous cartoon characters in a the Gulf setting in which familiar objects in the region are depicted in the paintings.
Katara’s ongoing virtual exhibitions also include “The Result” by Fatima Al Nuaimi which displays 19 acrylic on canvas works which reflect both unanticipated and foreseen results combined in one artwork and “Al Taybeen” by Ali Dasmal Al Kuwari which focuses on 17 realist paintings depicting traditional objects and Qatari architecture.
With a number of exciting features, these exhibitions, which can be accessed via Katara’s website until end of the year, make it possible for people to see artworks up close anytime as if they were visiting Katara’s galleries in person.