Bank Muscat hosts Safiya Al Bahlani’s exhibition celebrating life through art
MUSCAT: The Bank Muscat head office came alive with the pulsating colours of life as an art exhibition featuring the works of Safiya Al Bahlani, an indomitable personality who has successfully battled against all odds in life. The exhibition which opened on Sunday ends today.
The three-day exhibition titled ‘Growing Journey’ features a wide range of paintings showcasing the natural beauty, animals, flowers, still life, architecture and people.
Safiya, a physically challenged young woman, has been drawing and painting ever since she can remember. Art has always been her way of expressing her emotions and communicating her thoughts to the world.
Safiya said: “I am thankful to Bank Muscat for hosting this exhibition, which is a unique celebration of life. We applaud the gesture by Bank Muscat in supporting the exhibition and thereby promoting arts which are an integral part of the Sultanate’s centuries-old heritage.”
At the American International School of Muscat (Taism), Safiya took advanced art in preparation for studying art in college. It is at Taism she first started learning to use various mediums and techniques.
After completing secondary school, Safiya spent 18 months studying animation and graphics in Jordan. While there, she held her first solo exhibition that contained 30 of her paintings. The exhibition included pieces she made during her secondary school years as well as new works prepared under the guidance of a Jordanian artist.
In March 2011, Safiya collaborated with an Omani fashion designer, in a combined fashion show and art exhibition. Prepared for the 40th National Day celebrations, the two artists, inspired by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s annual speeches, developed a collection of dresses and paintings. Safiya can be aptly described as the resolute Omani spirit de- termined to conquer all challenges in life. In the ‘Growing Journey’ exhibition, Safiya aims to convey that people with special needs are unique, talented and able to contribute to Omani society. She welcomes challenges in order to attain excellence.
Safiya’s oil and acrylic paintings stands out with rich, strong colours rendered with superb skills. No matter what media she is using or in what style, she seeks to concentrate on faithful representation of the images she is trying to capture. The inner soul of Safiya’s art is expressed in her own words: “I love challenging myself.”
Safiya has always been fascinated with lines. Specialising in oils and mix media, she employs a unique method of painting. She also works on iPad and the different digital applications used for art.
The Bank Muscat support to the exhibition stems from the commitment to develop Omani citizens and progress of society in which it does business. As part of CSR commitment, Bank Muscat Hearts, a voluntary initiative by the bank staff, undertakes community activities. The informal society regularly conducts voluntary social work benefiting various segments of society.