The fourth annual art salon (June 24 to September 15) promises to live up to the high reputation of its previous avatars. 

An annual art salon at Boushahri art gallery is strong in both its diversity and in its overall impact with an endless mix of styles and genres. The show offers an opportunity to witness an intriguing wealth of regional art and artists who are at the forefront of our ever-expanding art scene.

From calligraphy to decorative motifs and mixed media and sculptures, the salon offers audiences an impressive array of artworks that offer an invaluable insight into diverse artistic expressions and brings together emerging as well as critically acclaimed artists from the region under one roof.

Among the renowned artists exhibiting at the art salon include: Rashed Diab, Hasan Musa, Sami Mohammed, Mohammed Omar Khalil, Mohammed Al Shebany , Reza Doust, Sinan Hussain ,Afifa Aleiby, and Jawad Boushahri.

Other notable names are: Hamza Banoua, Essam Darwish, Enzo Manara, Ameen El Bacha, Trotsky Maraud, Al Shek Farisy, AbdAlwahab Al Awadi, Ebrahim Esmael, Abas Malek, Ghadah Alkandari, Khazaal Al Awad , Omar Al Faiomy , Maasoma Behbahani, and Dina Ali.

Topping the list of works not to be missed would be art by Rashed Diab. His entrancing canvases are the show’s most commanding pieces.

Diab’s canvases have endless stories to tell, whether it is the tantalizing glimpse of the Nile in all its myriad moods or the perplexed figures in pairs, or in small groups in the throes of struggle, misery or dilemma.

Diab’s work is a fine confluence of the African, Arab and European influences. Diab reveals that he has been influenced by the techniques of Goya and Velasquez. His work engages the viewers in a questioning way. There is a complexity, a melancholy and an uncanny tranquility in his enigmatic artwork.

Sudanese artist Dr Hasan Musa is an image creator with a multiplicity of references: such as Arabic calligraphy, Chinese watercolor, printed textiles, politics and culture. His ability to churn out emotional subtleties is aptly reflected in his work.

Meanwhile, Syrian artist Nasser Nassan Agha’s color saturated paintings indicate an exuberant touch, combined with calligraphy and deft brushstrokes in warm hues that define Agha’s oeuvre.

A highlight of the show is spirited and haunting works by Sudanese artist Mohammad Omar Khalil.

Khalil has a master’s touch for color and composition and his work relies on forms and pattern, comprising symbols, artifacts, stamps or any kind of motifs derived from his Sudanese background

Mohammad Al Wahab impresses with his powerful figures and a soothing palette. He infuses the mundane with poetic depth and spontaneity.

Contained within each large canvas are Iranian artist Reza Doust’s immaculate and highly impressive works. Committed to figurative painting, Doust follows with fervor, an experimental style in collage and mixed-media on canvas as seen in his work titled ‘Seated Princess with a spray of Flower ’.

Doust’s narrative centers on a great yearning for the past traditions, exhibiting a juxtaposition of textures and figures.

Kuwaiti artist Ghadah Al Kandari’s renderings of ballerinas are equally interesting. With minimal strokes and lines, she weaves a strong narrative in her work titled ‘ Ballerina Pink’, acrylic on canvas, that resonates with grace and fluidity.

Another Kuwaiti artist Abdelhamid Al-Khlaifi, in his color-saturated paintings, is well known to strike a balance between the old and the new. And yet another charming piece ‘The orchard ‘, seeped in realism, by Iraqi artist Afifa Aleiby is a fine mix of figurative with strong emotional narrative.

Kuwait based Italian artist Enzo Manara translates his experiences as an artist in statements that are succinct and powerful. Manara is one of the first Italian designers who forayed into decorative ceramic tiles and is an expert in ceramic tile industry.

In his unconventional pieces, Manara admits he incorporates a plethora of different styles and artistic idioms in his art. He is the first ceramic artist to have used gold, silver and platinum on the tiles and has successfully expanded the same technique now to his artworks.

Intriguing to the eye and incredibly unique, are the work of Algerian artist Hamza Banoua. His signature technique of his work on reverse plexi-glass inspired by Arabic calligraphy, and Berber signs stand out for their seamless blend of diverse and intricate artwork.

Meanwhile, particularly eye catching is the solitary master piece by Indian artist Raj Ravi Varma. His figurative work on display is inspired by Indian mythology, especially Lord Krishna.

The pioneers of visual expression in Kuwait are well represented by some thought provoking sculptural pieces by Sami Mohammed, Issa Saqer and Jawad Boushahri.

The art salon showcases a feast of exquisite art, each very different and expressive in their own ways for their groundbreaking techniques by blurring the lines between sculpture and painting. The prolific collection pays tribute to art in all its various nuances and myriad hues, and if you are a lover of contemporary art, the show is not to be missed.

The exhibition will run until September 15. For further information, please contact Boushahri art gallery at: 25621119.