Kuwait youth ‘murals’ mesmerize onlookers
Barren concrete spaces get visual splendor
KUWAIT CITY, Dec 1, (KUNA): Amongst the wondrous architectures scattered throughout the nation, a new variation of art has emerged in the form of murals drawn by Kuwaiti youth, aiming to add visual splendor to barren concrete spaces.
Contractors of major infrastructure projects such as bridges and buildings pay little attention to concrete spaces left behind in many of the country’s industrial, commercial and residential areas.
Moreover, as part of vigorous youth initiatives, mural art has increasingly become a popular activity taken up by the country’s youth to remedy the unsightliness created by these concrete spaces.
To get the scoop on this new youth activity, KUNA interviewed a number of artists and painters, all of whom have put together murals that have come to encapsulate the nation’s love of art and beauty, accentuated by a special “Kuwaiti touch.” Speaking to KUNA, head of a team of youth muralists Sulaiman Al-Roudhan said that they are striving to create a more scenic environment in Kuwait, while simultaneously forging a link between artists and young volunteers, which would in turn, help bring about more adept and creative individuals.
On the art of murals, Al-Roudhan said it also allows young artists to hone their skills and showcase their artistic prowess, adding that each mural carries with it a special message the artist is conveying through his or her work.
One of the most notable murals is a portrait of beloved cartoonish figure Grendizer, which can be seen emblazoned on a concrete space in Sharq area, Al-Roudhan said, as he pointed out that the goal behind this portrait is to exhibit the grandeur of Arab art.
Meanwhile, Hind Francis, a member of the team, noted that the art of murals is distinct in the sense that it is much more descriptive than other forms of art, with a long and illustrious history. She added that it is not surprising that this art form is popular in Kuwait, given citizens’ penchant for traveling.
Speaking on the formation of this team, Francis said that it was not premediated, rather it represents a genuine desire on the part of team members to create a more attractive and beautiful environment in the country.
Francis also revealed that some government bodies have been gracious enough to fund projects undertaken by the team, which is a testament to the support the artists have garnered.
Similarly, Ahmad Al-Omairi, another artist, cited the famous idiom, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” which refers to the notion that a complex idea can be conveyed by just a single still image.
He said that he is hopeful that the murals can be effective in imparting messages of hope, while also obscuring these concrete spaces that have sullied the environment.
On these murals, artist Zahra Al-Mahdi pointed out that the artworks typically tackle political and social issues, in addition to personal opinions and abstract ideas.
“I usually favor portraits with bright colors because I think they blend well with the landscape of Kuwait,” Al-Mahdi quipped.