ART in Saudi Arabia is par excellence. Various artistic forms are flourishing and new ones continue to be introduced. One of the latest forms is artistic printing of fabrics and wallhangings, described as the first of its kind in the Kingdom.
April Tosch Jamjoom, who has organized a show of a novel style in the art of fabric printing, with contributions from her and two of her assistants — Samia Al Bar and Shifa Al Bar — says, “The range of exhibits relates to a unique style of artistic prints for upholstery, soft furnishings, clothing and wallhangings.” In all 65 pieces including some framed items and decorative furniture fabrics are on display at the exhibition organized jointly by April and Ann Meredith Al Hamrani at Al Alamiya Gallery in the Alhamra district of Jeddah.
Whether printing, post-processing (for color fastness of the inks), sewing, upholstery or beading, we do everything in-house in our studio off at Sultan Street,” April told Arab News.
The vast majority of her clients use her fabrics for home decor. What they find exciting is the customization technique. Each of their finished pieces tells a ‘story’ because often her art lovers are present when they do the designing.
We are able to print text, photographs, or collages that our art lovers take part in creating. So when the finished product is displayed in their homes, it becomes a conversation piece rather than just another accessory or piece of furniture,” she said.
By designing our own pieces we have been able to use all of our creative talents to the fullest. Sometimes, we focus on creating Islamic themed wallhangings, other times we decide to switch gears and create items that are more whimsical. The result, I think, is a good combination of artwork that is suitable to all tastes and shows people that we are not restricted to one central theme; it shows how versatile we are.”
Currently, the artists are in contact with Micheal Adams, an internationally recognized British artist who lives in the Seychelles. “We are working toward establishing a business relationship with him following which we will print his artwork on fabrics for possible use by Seychelles airlines, and various items of clothing for purchase by tourists who visit the Seychelles,” she says.
This is a unique exhibition as it is for the first time that a new concept in textile printing is being showcased,” said chief guest Mayor Adel Fakieh who opened the 10-day exhibition on Saturday.