It is said that a picture speaks a thousand words. So does a painting. And when there are more than a thousand, as at the Fiesta 1000 — which opened at Al-Furusya Yacht Club in Jeddah on Thursday — one can imagine the result.

Hamida Alireza, a well-known social, intellectual, cultural and humanitarian personality on the Jeddah scene, never at a loss for words, and always putting things in perspective, said it well: “Super initiative. We should have more events like this.”

Mohammed Bahrawi, president and founder of Arabian Wings, organizer of Fiesta 1000, told Arab News: “We have surpassed the target of 1,000 as we have more than 1,500 pieces on display at the exhibition.”

Bahrawi explained that the show is called Fiesta 1000 because the target was to collect 1,000 paintings or artworks exhibited under one roof and also the price for each piece is $1,000. He said the price is affordable for anyone who wants to buy an original artwork. “Moreover, if you save these paintings, after three-four years the price will appreciate. So it is an investment,” he added.

He said that it is the first exhibition but it will become an annual event every year in April. Next year, the exhibition will become bigger. “We have 1,500 pieces from all over the world and the Arab world — Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Palestine, Iran, London, Uzbekistan,” he added. Out of the total, 700-800 are from Saudi Arabia.

The target is the audience so an attempt has been made to have all the tastes from calligraphy, painting, digital art, photography, everything that one can imagine about art is represented and displayed.

The Fiesta is about small paintings, a minimum 40x40cm and up to 60x60cm and within $1,000 price.

There are no names besides the paintings because the idea is to enable the viewer to see the beauty of the painting, not the name. If a painting is beautiful and the artist is a beginner, a person may shy away in favor of a known artist. “We want to focus on the art, not the artist,” stressed Bahrawi.

Najlaa Felemban, vice-president and founder, Arabian Wings, termed the exhibition as a big event, with the aim to promote all artists. She said Saudis have much interest in art. “Art is gaining importance in Jeddah. One can see paintings, events and shows. Recently Arabian Wings organized the Jeddah Art Week, which was very successful and well received by the public and the artists,” she said and added that more events would follow.

Felemban said that some people buy for decoration, some for just collecting, and some as investment. Saudi collectors go to Dubai, Paris and other places to buy art works.

Hassan Muleh, a retired businessman, who graduated in 1971 from Academy of Fine Art in Rome, and who used to be a sculptor working with stone, found the exhibition “very interesting.” “But it is tiring because there are no chairs. There should be seats before the paintings so that one could sit and admire the paintings like one finds in Western countries. The galleries in Europe have chairs in front of the paintings,” he added.

Mohammed Haider, an artist, found it to be good, something new. “It is nice to have new ideas. So much of variety and talent in one place under one roof is amazing and inspiring. It is awesome,” he said, and added that one can know the style. One can get original paintings at an affordable price.

He started painting when in high school, and has his own studio. “Art is going great in Saudi Arabia. Now Saudi artists are also doing well. They are exhibiting in Dubai, Italy, Venice. We have a lot of good artists. Society has become more appreciative. What they are doing is very nice. I like it,” he said.

Sweel Jambi, an artist who works at ALJ Nafisa Shams Academy, and paints and sculpts portraits, has five paintings on display. Her painting on silk tells about Ramadan, and another about Old Jeddah. She said that interest in art in the Kingdom is growing. More Saudis are taking to art and painting. But still there is a problem. The community and society does not take art as a serious business or work. “As such we have to create awareness through such events,” she suggested.

Handi Jambi, who is studying animation and filmmaking at Effat University, said art is developing in Saudi Arabia. She is displaying her painting of a Saudi girl under the sun, “waiting for something or just watching the surroundings.” Another painting is of an owl, “a strong and alert bird” on black paper with white paint. Her painting of a lion also represents strength. She said her painting of a camel, stands for Saudi culture.

Amal Mohammed Al-Murri, who is exhibiting for the first time, said there should be more such exhibitions.

Motaz Al-Yenbawi, who has two paintings on display, said it is an inspiring show. “One finds encouragement and gains good experience,” he added.

Raghad Idrees, who has been painting for 10 years as a hobby and is participating for the first time with a collage and acrylic color, said the exhibition is a nice idea, with brilliant artists. “Lot of people are taking up painting,” she said. She took courses in collage and pottery in Canada, and has a bachelor’s degree in art from King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah.

Mohammed Al-Balubaid, who had come with his family to see the exhibition, said he likes art. He is a photographer interested in abstract photography. Paulino Vypiaco, a Filipino ‘occasional charcoal’ artist, who is working with Adar Group, said it is a good show. “People are expressing their artistry, which is good,” he added.

Noura Hussain, student of English at KAAU, and an artist, who is fond of painting butterflies because of color and detail, plans a solo in future. She said she was proud of this exhibition. “It is so amazing. An opportunity for artists. It is a much better artistic scene today,” she added.

Shiab Fikhri, an artist, suggested separate sections by subject for art works because at present it is mixed. “The experienced artists are mixed with the new ones. But in general it is very nice. It is a good relation between all artists and nationalities. In the next event, hope the exhibition will see even more artists,” he said.

Nabil Taher, an artist, who has seven paintings on display, said it is a very big exhibition. “I have never seen anything like it before in Saudi Arabia. People will enjoy it.”

Shafia Al-Qheatani, who teaches business courses at KAAU, said some exhibits are special, some are normal. “I wish to see more like it,” she added.

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