‘Art through the Eyes of an Ambassador’ book launch held

MUSCAT: ‘Art through the Eyes of an Ambassador’ by Hussain Mohamed Ali, former ambassador of Oman to the UK, was launched at Stal Gallery under the auspices of Yahya Said Al Jabri, Chairman, Special Economic Zone Authority, Duqm.

The book is an extensive compilation of varied artworks Mohamed Ali collected throughout his tenure as the Ambassador of Oman to the UK and is still actively collecting art at present. His collection includes not only paintings by famed and revered artists from around the world, but as well as works by worldrenowned photographers, crystal and glass works, bronze sculptures, antique clocks, pens with precious gems, and artworks by very own artists from Oman.

Embodied in each page of the book is an expression of the ambassador’s passion for the arts and his openness in sharing his valued collection. He describes his involvement [in the arts] as “a way [of finding] harmony with other people and cultures. If someone is involved in art, they are not likely to discuss issues like religious differences between people. An art collector can have a collection of work by different artists from different parts of the world carrying different beliefs.”

During his speech, Mohamed Ali said that 100% of the proceeds from the sale of his book will go to two select charity organisations — the Oman Cancer Association and the Oman Autism Society.