An Artistic Pause
‘Palms and Fields,’ by Nadia Mohammed. 2021. Tapestry, 150 x 110 cm. Image courtesy of
The music of life, the lush nature, the colorful animals and birds, the ripe fruits, the simple act of sitting under a tree and dreaming of days gone by; these are just some of the ways art shared here from the wonderful Barjeel Art Foundation collection can capture our hearts and make us pause and smile.
Reports show that as much as 70 percent of the global wildlife population is plunging, and tragically more than 41,000 species are threatened with extinction. With nature and all its beautiful diverse creatures — including our oldest companions on this planet, the plants — threatened by human activities, these art pieces on display may sadly become historic documentations of the beautiful natural world around us.
So please enjoy these intricate pieces. Take a moment to smile at Baya’s whimsical joyful art, Nouri Al Rawi’s delicate ‘Radiance of Joy’, the vibrant nature-related stories by Nadia Mohammed, the very interesting ‘childhood dreams’ piece by Abdul Hamid Baalbaki, and serene yet strong Suleiman Mansour’s ‘Quiet Morning’. As we welcome a new year, try to find a moment to sit under a tree, sip your favorite coffee and perhaps read a book.
Or simply sit with your thoughts, as all we really have is this moment, the present, so embrace it fully.
Remember to Re-set. Re-adjust. Reboot. Restart. Revive and Rewind. Research shows that even if as little as five minutes after each hour is spent restarting. It is enough to refresh one’s mind and help it continue with an often long list of demanding tasks ahead.
We all need a break from the bustling, relentless demands of daily life in an overly-connected world. From classical music and the sound of the waves, to simply looking at funny animal videos or going for a brisk short walk, there are many ways people take their breaks.
One often forgotten ritual is our gift of breathing. Therefore, we share here a GIF that reminds us to breathe properly, and we also have a few online resources we found for our readers; some that will bring out the child in you, while others will relax you as you discover new artists and artworks.
Thank you for being part of our artistic journey.
‘Garden Plants,’ by Nadia Mohammed. 2021, Tapestry, 110 x 150 cm. Image courtesy of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah.
‘Childhood Dream,’ by Abdul Hamid Baalbaki. 1974, Oil on canvas, 130 x 91 cm. Image courtesy of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah.
‘Radiance of Joy,’ by Nouri Al Rawi.1957, Oil on canvas, 160 x 84 cm. Image courtesy of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah.
‘Femme a la Robe Rose,’ by Baya. 1945, Watercolour and gouache on paper, 59 x 47.2 cm. Image courtesy of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah.
‘Quiet Morning,’ by Suleiman Mansour. 2009, Oil on canvas, 114 x 110 cm. Image courtesy of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah
