JEDDAH, 5 December — In an effort to introduce talented Arab artists to the Kingdom’s fine art lovers, and to encourage the community to support local charities, BMG Financial Advisors, through its BMG Foundation, will be sponsoring a new initiative called “Art for All”.
The first featured artist in the “Art for All” series will be Sadiq Toma. His exhibition will open Jan. 19, 2002, and will run for 10 days at the Jeddah Gallery for Fine Arts.
Toma will be arriving in Saudi Arabia from London in early January to prepare for the show, meet with art patrons during the exhibit and give a seminar to young artists to help them develop their skills.
The exhibit will be held at the same time as the Economic Forum so it is hoped that a large number of out of town guests will take the opportunity to view Toma’s work.
Toma began his career in Baghdad where he earned a diploma in Fine Art and Design and then used his talents as a freelance illustrator for organizations such as Iraqi Television and the Iraqi Institute of Antiquities.
In 1978 he moved to London where he has continued his career as an illustrator and graphic designer. His move to the West saw his talent recognized for the first time by the international community. He has held one-man shows nearly every year since 1979 and has participated in international exhibitions in countries from Japan to Denmark.
Toma first brought his work back to the Arab world when he exhibited in Sharjah in 1999 and he is eagerly anticipating interacting with the art lovers and young artists in the Kingdom during the fortnight he will be in Jeddah in January.
BMG is a newly established financial advisory firm targeting medium to large sized companies in their mergers, acquisitions and restructuring activities.
From the firm’s earliest days its partners have recognized the necessity of giving something back to the community they serve to add value to the society. BMG is already sponsoring the annual Gulf Cup Polo Charity Event and they hope that their latest initiative will enhance the local art scene while garnering donations for those in need.
“We, as good corporate citizens, must be socially responsible within the local community,” said Basil M.K. Al-Ghalayini, managing partner, BMG.
“BMG hopes this effort will enrich the Kingdom’s art scene. BMG has already compensated the artist for his work and his time. Toma’s paintings on display at the exhibit will be sold with the proceeds from the Art for All event used to fund the purchase of vital equipment on the wish lists of local charities,” he added.
