JEDDAH: Eighty exhibits reflecting the intricacies of designing and decorating eggs by Farha Sayeed, wife of Indian Consul General Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, opened at Reda Art Gallery on Palestine Street here last night.
Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled Almaeena, who inaugurated the show, described it as an exhibition of high artistic quality. “The art, finesse and hard work that have gone in are reflected in the exquisite pieces on display. The credit goes to the artist and also to her husband who has shown immense patience. Behind every great man there is a woman and this exhibition has shown that behind every great woman there is a man. This is a unique art form. You can paint on wood or canvas, but to carve on eggs is something new,” he said.
Many of the invitees, who included diplomats, businessmen and community leaders, said they were pleasantly surprised by the exhibits that reflect the delicateness of the artwork.
Farha told Arab News that she had been working on the 80 exhibits for over four years. “The challenge for me was to make each exhibit different from the other. Each piece could take days together. I worked whenever I found time,” said Farha, a mother of three.
The exhibits displayed include beautifully decorated ostrich, emu, rhea, goose, duck and chicken eggs and silk paintings. Each of the eggs is intricately cut, carved and decorated by hand using pearls, beads, brocade, velvet, satin and rhinestone chains, making each piece a masterpiece and one of its kind, said Farha, who holds a degree in English literature. She said that she picked up the art from a lady during her stay in Qatar.
Among the exhibits titled is the “King’s coach,” an ostrich egg which is dexterously cut to form a king’s coach with two open doors. The interior of the egg is lined with blue velvet. Tufting of the seats, ceiling and footrest add to the elegance of the coach.
Another exhibit titled “Calligraphy” is an ostrich eggwhich is painstakingly carved and etched to form beautiful roses. The egg is mounted on a porcelain rose stand. “It is all beautiful,” said Mohamed M. Attar, honorary consul at the Canadian Consulate. “I am pleasantly surprised by the art form and the work of the artist,” he added.
“Very interesting indeed,” said British Consul General Kate Rudd. This art demands tremendous patience and it has taken eight years for her to get here. This is the first time that I have witnessed this art form.”
“The show reflects a perfect union of nature and art,” said Italian Consul General Adriano Maria Santacesaria di Barale.
“Wonderful. The intricateness involved in drilling the eggshells is something to be appreciated,” said Japanese Consul General Toshimitsu Ishigure. “It is not easy to work on eggs. This shows the talent and patience of the artist. This is the first time I saw anything like this.”
Sri Lankan Consul General Abdul Latiff Mohamed Lafeer described it as “excellent.” I wish local schoolchildren are brought here and exposed to such an art form.
“Marvellous,” said Almaz G. Gherges, wife of Ethiopian Consul General Tekleab Kebede. “Every piece is different from the other and they are all beautiful,” she said.
Dr. Sayeed, who is soon to return to India at the end of his term, said he would organize a similar exhibition in New Delhi. Earlier, Farha exhibited twice in Denmark during Sayeed’s tenure in Copenhagen. The exhibition will be open to ladies only today and end tomorrow.
