RIYADH, 18 March — Atrocities against innocent Palestinians committed by Israel dominates the theme of an exhibition of paintings by Areej Mohammad Ibrahim Al-Sadhan, a US-born Saudi painter, at the Al-Khozama Hotel here. The 28 paintings on display show how brush strokes can promote the message of peace and humanity.
The young Saudi artist, who has a degree in English literature, depicts nature as a great healer. Speaking to Arab News, Areej said that the exhibition has been organized to mark 20 years of rule by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd.
Her paintings detail socioeconomic developments in the Kingdom as well as economic and political developments in the wider Arab world, with particular reference to Palestine.
“The atrocities against human beings and nature are expressed in my work,” she said.
Her work also reflects nature in primitive Arabian forms — such as rock shelters, caves, waterfalls, leaves and trees tossing their heads in breeze. In fact, Areej, who is only 23, has been able to produce world-class paintings, which explain the complexities of nature in a very matured manner. Thus, her paintings share the vivid realism of primitive art that has been discovered by very few Arab painters.
Areej, who learned the art of oil and water painting during her college days, plans to participate in a number of group exhibitions in near future.
