JEDDAH, 21 January — “Art Alive”, a two-day exhibition of largely abstract paintings by Iraqi-born artist Sadiq Toma, went on public view yesterday in the city’s Hilton Hotel.
The show, organized by BMG Financial Advisors, to coincide with the Jeddah Economic Forum, was opened by Abdullah Zainal Alireza, chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“The exhibition is part of cultural exchanges which are very important,” explained the JCCI chairman. “They help to create a solid foundation for various cultures to meet with one another.”
Thirty paintings are on display at the Hilton. More than 60 others by the now London-based Toma can be seen at a separate exhibition that opened on Saturday at Attlier Gallery of Fine Arts, Tahliah Street. This show continues for another eight days.
“I’ve been painting for the last 35 years. I developed the art of painting abstracts all by myself, influencing factors being art and calligraphy,” said Toma now a British national.
“I’ve been living in Britain since I left Iraq 24 years ago,” he added. This is his first time exhibiting in Jeddah.
“It’s not unusual for BMG to sponsor serious artists,” explains prominent Saudi businessman Basil Al-Ghalayini, managing director of BMG.
“We’ve regularly mounted abstract exhibitions that hopefully enrich the Saudi modern art scene, presenting it with pioneering Arab artists. Our sponsorship of this international painter of Arab origin is the latest step toward supporting art in all of its forms, shapes and styles. This is part of our company’s philanthropic goals.”
Al-Ghalayini said the aim of the exhibition is to promote an exchange of ideas and cultural activities between Saudi and international artists.
“The idea is to make Jeddah a venue for international exhibitions and enable them to interact with Saudi artists and for university students to study and appreciate art. Proceeds of the show will go to local charities, and in future, proceeds of all such shows will be earmarked for both local and international charities,” he said.
Toma, who obtained his diploma in fine arts and design in Baghdad in 1974, has had works in 20 national and international exhibitions between 1973 and 1999, and held more than a dozen one-man shows.
According to art critics, the distinctive features of Toma’s work emerge through three crucial levels.
The first reveals his attachment to ancient Iraqi culture in his use of Samarian eyes and flat faces; the second in which he reaffirms his reality by means of symbols inspired by the same reality (palm trees, skiff and fishes); and the third aspect of his paintings lies in the expressionistic treatment of his subject. His work demonstrates an affinity to the world of his Arab origins.
