“Handhalah of Palestinian in Muscat” exhibition showcases rare works of Palestinian artists

Muscat: The “Handhalah of Palestinian in Muscat” exhibition showcasing selected works by the late Palestinian artist Naji El-Ali, alongside works inspired by Palestinian embroidery by artist Safa Sarour. The exhibition will continue until January 6, 2025, at Sara Gallery in Bait Al Zubair in Muscat.

The exhibition celebrates the symbolism of Al Ali’s art and its historical and political value, in addition to the Palestinian embroidery works of artist Safaa Surour.

The exhibition combines the realistic lines of Al-Ali’s works with the fine details of Palestinian heritage represented in the embroidery that is part of the works of artist Safaa Surour, with historical facts and information related to the personality of Naji Al-Ali extending from 1938 to 1987 as one of the most prominent Palestinian artists, who left an intellectual and artistic legacy that expressed the struggle of the Palestinian people and their resistance against the Israeli occupation.

In pictures: “Handhalah of Palestinian in Muscat” exhibition shows work of Palestinian artists

In the context of the creative artistic message conveyed by the exhibition, the reality of “Hanthala” is formed in the child who appears barefoot, turning his face away from the world. In this exceptional scene, he expresses sustainable hope and silent protest against the injustice and tyranny of the occupier of his land and Arabism.

The drawing of Hanthala appeared (initially) in a Kuwaiti newspaper in 1969 and became an icon of Al-Ali’s signature on his artwork and drawings; Hanthala being a symbol of the Palestinian struggle and an eyewitness to the tragic events in Palestine.

As for the presence of traditional Palestinian embroidery through what the artist Safaa Surour has created, there is an apparent truth about the Palestinian woman and her heritage that extends over centuries, embodying the artistic precision and craftsmanship passed down through generations, and forming a symbol of the connection between the ancient past and the present, to express the culture of steadfastness and the preservation and rooting of identity.

The word of the Bait Al Zubair Foundation explained that this art exhibition celebrates the legacy of the late artist “Al Ali”, who carried his cause with an honest brush and an unyielding voice, so that his paintings remain a witness to the suffering of his people and their ongoing struggle, and that Naji Al Ali was not just an artist, but a symbol of the voice of truth, who was able to condense an entire history into simple lines, and to make each painting a window into the suffering of the Palestinian in the homeland and in exile.

The exhibition aims to revive Palestinian heritage and art among the artistic taste in the Sultanate of Oman, and to be a form of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, and to introduce the works of the late cartoonist Naji Al-Ali closely, while providing opportunities to communicate with his family closely.

It is worth noting that Naji Al-Ali, who has 40,000 cartoons, is known for his sharp criticism that has contributed to enhancing social and intellectual awareness among supporters of the Palestinian cause. He is also one of the most important artists who have harnessed art for change as one of the symbols of resistance and struggle.