ABHA: An art exhibition featuring over 75 pieces of art by female Saudi painters opened in Abha on Monday. The event was opened by Abdul Karim Al-Haneeni, undersecretary of the Asir governorate.
“We have not done much for Saudi female artists in the region. I promise to extend all out support to these artists in collaboration with the region’s culture and arts society for women,” said Al-Haneeni. He added that Asir Gov. Prince Faisal bin Khaled is to establish a committee to revive the Miftaha art village where studios would be made available to female artists.
He further lauded the quality of art on display at the event, describing them to be distinct, diverse and reflective of the region’s modern and ancient history.
Female painter Khatimah Al-Sahal said there is a need to establish separate studios for female painters that have security guards to help maintain female privacy. She added that the current studios assigned to female painters are insufficient.
“We are about 15 women artists. The studios given to us have no ventilation and the lighting is very dim,” she said.
Al-Sahal called for a permanent exhibition to show the work of female artists and a special Internet site. She also called for training sessions that might contribute to the emergence of a new generation of female painters.
She added that there is also a need to have a female manager in charge of female artists instead of the current manager who is juggling three positions. “She is only in charge of us by name. She is also section head at the Faculty of Home Economics, and Chairman of the Female Committee at the Society for Culture and Arts,” said Al-Sahal, adding that the person who is put in charge in her place should have only one job.
She also denied claims by painter Abdullah Al-Shahar, director of the Al-Miftah village (King Fahd Cultural Center) who said his administration has created a conducive atmosphere but could not find a single woman painter in the entire region.
“If there is a suitable place for us at the center, then we would come in droves,” she added.
