Gulf Times
An exhibition, 'Art and Arabian Horses', held on the sidelines of the ongoing second edition of the Katara International Arabian Horse Festival (KIAHF 2022) at the Katara Esplanade is being admired and applauded by heritage enthusiasts, art and equestrian followers, as well as Arabian horse lovers.
As many as 21 artists have participated in the exhibition with 106 paintings that celebrate the beauty of purebred Arabian horses, highlighting their position in Arab heritage from different creative angles and by using various art methods, the organisers said in a statement.
"The artists present their artistic vision of Arabian horses, whether in wildness and ferocity, or their impulsiveness and vitality. They highlight the richness embodying the beauty of horses and equestrianism, with all cultural repertoires, characterised by exquisite subtlety, accuracy and beauty. With a multiplicity of art methods and raw materials, from painting with oil colours, pencils or watercolours to the methods in which these works are presented, the exhibition derives its importance from the position occupied by the horse in Arab heritage, history and literature," the statement explains.
The exhibition includes some creative works with mixed formation and letters, embodying high skill and craftsmanship, as well as verses from poetry by the founder of Qatar, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani, and by great Arab poets such as Antara bin Shaddad and al-Mutanabbi.
The painting area at the Katara Esplanade also offers a distinctive artistic activity that draws the interest of visitors. The live saddle painting involves more than 20 Qatari and resident artists.
Artist Joud Rashidat, who is participating in the event, said: “Painting on saddles is an art that is different from the prevailing one and it is a wonderful occasion to diversify and develop art, as well as to promote the celebration of Arab horses and revive the Arab heritage through art.”
Artist Lina Fouad added, “We are a group of artists who do free drawings related to horses, and the KIAHF period is sufficient to finish two or three paintings about these horses. The Katara International Arabian Horse Festival is an important opportunity for us to present our artistic experiences and introduce the public to our creations and exchange experiences between us, which contributes to the development of our skills."
There is a photo gallery on the legends of Al Shaqab, which presents pictures and paintings of the Al Shaqab horse breeding and the achievements of these horses in various championships, whether in Qatar or at the regional and international levels, the most famous of which is Marwan Al Shaqab.