Oman’s pavilion at Venice International Art Biennale 2024 to Open tomorrow (April 19). Five accomplished artists – Dr Ali al Jabri, Issa al Mufarji, Adham al Farsi and Sarah al Aulaqi, besides curator Alia al Farsi are attending the prestigious event, the theme for Oman’s pavilion being ‘Malath’ (haven)

Art from Oman is fast getting noticed on the international art scene as contemporary artists from Oman have been portraying the essence and traditions of the ‘Jewel of Arabia’ in diverse ways, via diverse media at many prestigious events. And, the 60th International Art Exhibition, which gets underway in Venice this weekend (April 20 – November 24) is one such formidable platform.

Curated by Adriano Pedrosa (of Brazil), the first Latin American to curate the International Art Exhibition, the prestigious event opens many vistas for artists from around the globe, including Oman, to convey not just their varied art forms but also the ideology and inspiration behind them. Pedrosa is currently artistic director of the Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand – MASP,

Oman’s pavilion at the prestigious biennale opens tomorrow (April 19) when five accomplished artists – Dr Ali al Jabri, Issa al Mufarji, Adham al Farsi and Sarah al Aulaqi, besides curator Alia al Farsi, will showcase the essence of Oman under the theme ‘Malath’ (haven). The opening ceremony of Oman’s pavilion will be held under the auspices of H H Sayyid Kamil bin Fahd al Said, Secretary-General at the Secretariat General of the Council of Ministers.

The title of the current international exhibition is ‘Foreigners Everywhere’ and the varied activities on the sidelines are slated to continue till November 24. The Venice Biennale has been one of the world’s most important international art events which provides an opportunity to every country to showcase its national works of art in its pavilions.

The Oman Pavilion is located near the historic Piazza San Marco, the beating heart of Venice, offering an approximate of 2000 visitors daily an opportunity to come face to face with the Omani artistic and cultural identity and paving the way for future cooperation with other countries. Special programmes and workshops in the field of modern art will also be held here during the biennale.

Alia al Farsi, curator of the Oman Pavilion, said, “This is the second time Oman is taking part in the prestigious Venice Biennale. Our pavilion has chosen the title ‘Malath’ which means ‘haven’. The name and the art reflect Oman’s status as a melting pot for people from around the world and how multicultural exchanges over centuries shaped the way we eat, dress, talk and think.”

She further said that the participating artists were cherry-picked based on their unique talents and the diversity of the media they use. “As a curator, it is important to show that Oman is rich with great artists, hence, I wanted to feature marble sculpture, clay and fibre work, multi-disciplinary works, video art and other art forms,” she said, adding, “Oman has so much to offer, especially in the contemporary art scene. We believe, that our diversity and inclusivity has helped artists to grow and create pieces that would surprise art critiques.”

Sayyid Saeed Al Busaidi, Undersecretary for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth for Culture, said in a statement, “We are delighted to return to this enchanting city for the second time, showcasing the rich artistic heritage of our nation. Our presentation will spotlight a diverse collection of contemporary artworks created by talented Omani artists.

“Additionally, the Ministry is committed to fostering artistic development nationwide through various programmes aligned with the Venice exhibition. The participation of the Sultanate of Oman in the International Art Exhibition holds significant importance within the framework of intercultural dialogue and human interaction diversity. As a platform renowned for its celebration of global artistic expression, the Biennale Arte offers Oman a unique opportunity to showcase its rich cultural heritage and artistic innovation on an international stage.”

The big 5

Alia al Farsi, curator of Oman Pavlion, is also founder of Alia Gallery.

Adham al Farsi (member, Omani Society of Fine Arts) has been exhibiting internationally since 1997.

Ali Al Jabri is a sculptor whose works marry together wood and marble in a reflection on relationships.

Issa al Mufarji explores Omani heritage and Arabic calligraphy in his work.

Sarah al Aulaqi, founder of Cure8 Art Gallery, pays homage to the rich cultural fabric of Oman.