From left: Saud A. Al Sheikhi, general manager at the Ministry of Culture and Information, Makkah branch, and Najlaa Felemban, founder of Arabian wings, and Mohammed Bahrawi, co founder, present the book “Limited Edition 2” on the opening of Arabian Wings Haii, Art festival at Theatro Mall. — Courtesy photo Syeda Amtul Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH – The Arabian Wings “Arabian Wings Haii” art festival concluded successfully. The next stop for the 16 Saudi artists who participated in the festival is Dubai where their work will be on show from March 17 to 25. “Arabian Wings Haii” was organized to raise public awareness of “Limited Edition 2” a project in partnership with Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives (ALJCI), and in cooperation with Brown Book Dubai, the Saudi Art and Culture Association and the Ministry of Culture and Information at Theatro Mall. The week-long art festival attracted more than 5000 visitors; the audience being students, art lovers, dignitaries and diplomats. The art festival showcased the innovative contemporary art work of 26 Saudi artists. The shows were inaugurated by Saud A. Al Sheikhi, general manager at the Ministry of Culture and Information Makkah Branch on behalf of Abdul Aziz Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information. “I think we scored a great success, certainly more than expected, and we sold almost 90 percent of the artwork from the limited edition 2. This exhibition brought out the best talent of Saudi artists, which many people were not expecting,” said Mohammed Bahrawi, co founder of Arabian Wings. He added that this success has motivated them to increase their budget for the 3rd Limited edition next year. “We have to raise our own standards. We hope with hard work and cooperation with others, we can reach beyond the horizon. The art work of 16 Saudi artists will be just for display purposes as all the art pieces are already sold; this will hopefully allow the world to learn more about our heritage, culture and artists,” he added. Bahrawi announced that Feb. 2014 will be known as the month of art in Jeddah. He said that Arabian Wings is forming a union of all Jeddah art galleries under one umbrella to be known collectively as “Jeddah Galleries”. “The idea is to organize the events together under one umbrella, and promote Jeddah as a ‘city of art' in the Gulf,” he said. The mission of Arabian Wings “Limited Edition” and the festival is to enhance the talent of Saudi artists and to support them. They also have other projects such as lectures, workshops, contests, exhibitions, educational programs, seminars and conferences. “Limited Edition 2” is a publication containing the best art work of all the Saudi artists. It is hoped that in the future it will become the book of artists of Saudi Arabia and the Arab world under the umbrella of “Arabian Wings,” said Najla Felemban, founder of Arabian Wings. Fady Jameel, president of ALJCI international, said: “Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives is extremely proud to be part of this art festival, which provided an excellent opportunity to both art lovers and the Saudi artists to experience innovative art. “ALJCI will continue supporting Saudi artists and Saudi art organizations in order to create better future careers for Saudi Artists.”
