- Title: JORDAN: Diversity of human faces portrayed in Amman exhibition
- Date: 9th February 2012
- Summary: AMMAN, JORDAN (RECENT - JANUARY 28, 2012) (REUTERS) VISITORS LOOKING AT PAINTINGS IN EXHIBITION VARIOUS OF PORTRAITS OF MEN FROM MIDDLE EAST IN TRADITIONAL DRESS ARTIST LOOKING AT PAINTING UNTITLED PAINTING SHOWING FACE OF DISTRESSED MAN (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SYRIAN ARTIST OMAR AL-AKHRAS SAYING: "The idea behind the painting was inspired by what we have been seeing (in Syria) lately, the endless killing and bloodshed that is out of all proportion and that no mind can absorb, not even in a horror movie. Every Syrian citizen has ended up watching through a distressed eye without uttering one word, because no comment can express the magnitude of the sadness and distress that they feel." PAINTING SHOWING DISTRESSED MAN WITH HAND OVER HIS MOUTH (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ARTIST SYRIAN ARTIST OMAR AL-AKHRAS SAYING: "Every human whose heart beats with freedom should react and feel sad about what is happening in the homeland. We pray for the martyrs and for the tragic situation in Syria (to end)." VISITORS LOOKING AT PAINTING CALLED "DAULIS" BY DUTCH ARTIST MONIQUE VAN STEEN (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LAMA HOURANI, CURATOR, SAYING: "A face can say many things without talking. In general, there are many messages and rich content behind a face. At the same time, it is very simple and human. It is an easy thing, understanding it is easy and it's easy to connect to. I think it is a universal subject that can easily bring together several experiences under one roof." PAINTINGS IN GALLERY UNTITLED PAINTING BY JORDANIAN ARTIST AMMAR KHAMASH VARIOUS OF UNTITLED PAINTING BY JORDANIAN ARTIST BADR MAHASNEH VARIOUS OF PAINTINGS BY COLOMBIAN ARTIST CESAR BIOJO CALLED "ALEJANDRA"
- Embargoed: 24th February 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Jordan, Jordan
- Country: Jordan
- Topics: Lifestyle
- Reuters ID: LVA4Q3WRIW0HNO0AFUDKPZ7938YZ
- Story Text: Shaped by love and war, personal experiences and political realities, the complexities of the human face are depicted in a new art exhibition in Amman.
Some 25 artists from the Middle East, Europe and South America are exhibiting their works at the Foresight Gallery in the Jordanian capital Amman, exploring the human face and its reaction to social and political events.
The exhibition, named simply 'Faces', includes paintings inspired by Arab history, such as the controversial era of Lawrence of Arabia in the early 20th century, right up to works reflecting current events in the Middle East.
Syrian artist Omar al-Akhras says the spiralling violence in his own country inspired him to paint the face of a distressed man, covering his mouth to show his speechlessness regarding the tragedy that has claimed thousands of lives.
"The idea behind the painting was inspired by what we have been seeing (in Syria) lately, the endless killing and bloodshed that is out of all proportion and that no mind can absorb, not even in a horror movie. Every Syrian citizen has ended up watching through a distressed eye without uttering one word, because no comment can express the magnitude of the sadness and distress that they feel," said the award-winning al-Akhras.
Exhibition organisers say the artists come from around the world, including Colombia, Norway, France, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Curator Lama Hourani emphasised the unspoken words a face can express, transcending language and culture.
"A face can say many things without talking. In general, there are many messages and rich content behind a face. At the same time, it is very simple and human. It is an easy thing, understanding it is easy and it's easy to connect to. I think it is a universal subject that can easily bring together several experiences under one roof," she said.
The exhibition runs until 29 February. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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