“Baalbek Souq” (left) and “Rooster Crow” by Issa Halloum.
Doha: Issa Halloum had developed a deep grasp of nature from a young age through solitary communion with the environment, evident in his 25 paintings on show at “Seasons Melodies” exhibition which marks the Lebanese painter’s first solo show in Qatar.
In particular, the exhibition unveiled yesterday at Al Markhiya Gallery at Doha Fire Station is an interpretation of the four seasons, their colours and textures, as well as the activities people are preoccupied with as seasons change.
“We follow this artist and we love his works so we invited him to exhibit them for the first time in Al Markhiya and in Qatar. We put up four major exhibitions during the art season which runs from October till April, and this exhibition is one of them,” Art Coordinator of Al Markhiya Gallery Anas Ktit explained to The Peninsula yesterday.
With the artist’s interesting concept coupled with his distinct technique in painting using oil, the gallery chose to present this solo exhibition as Al Markhiya Gallery’s second major offering for this exhibition season, said Ktit.
“The Beginning of Autumn” by Issa Halloum. Pics: Raynald C Rivera/The Peninsula
“There are 25 pieces in different sizes on display, including three big paintings comprising two parts each, as well as medium and small pieces, all of which related to the four seasons - winter, spring, summer and fall - and people’s activities,” he added.
The three huge paintings Ktit was referring to are panoramic works “The Beginning of Autumn”, “Harvest of Wheat” and “Baalbek Souq” which are among the main highlights of the show.
The artist makes extraordinary paintings of otherwise mundane subjects like a rose by the window or empty chairs with his mastery in colour layering and composition leaving a strong emotional impact on the viewer. Green fields, yellow meadows and immaculately white snowy valley are depicted with such textures and colours which almost go beyond the canvas.
Born in Kuwait, Halloum takes inspiration mainly from the rural Lebanese region of Bekaa which is abundant in nature reflected in many of his paintings.
“Art has provided a safe haven for me since l was a little child. When l was young, I didn’t enjoy games and toys like other children, instead I escaped from reality by meditating in nature and visualizing in my mind, the energy I found there,” said Halloum.
Feeling nature’s soft and harsh textures, seeing vivid colours, and experiencing the changing light of day brought ecstasy to the artist’s young mind inspiring him to use colours to convey these experiences like a visual memory.
“Seasons Melodies” is open to the public with COVID-19 safety precautions from 9am to 7pm Saturday to Thursday until February 4.
