Saudi- Asiri artists taking local art form global

(MENAFN- Arab News) ABHA: A group of professional women artists is taking Asir's distinctive mural and fresco paintings global with a representation of the work to be showcased soon at the United Nations in New York.
The work is 10 meters long and 2 meters wide and is called 'Our Mothers' Houses.' It has been organized by Jamil Art and Kathia Silli and the efforts of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage which has plans to ensure the artworks in Asir are placed on the United Nations' World Heritage List.
Brother and sister Ahmed Mater and Jamila Mater both artists recently showed some of the work of their mother Fatima Hassan Asiri to curators at the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. They liked it so much that they asked for a work to be produced.
Jamila Mater said that the artists involved include Jawaher Mater Reem Mater Sharifa Ayed Amira Al-Almai Salha Mohammed Al-Qahtani Nala Ali Fatima Yehe Safiyya Ahmed and Zeina Al-Shahrani. Her mother Fatima Hassan Asiri is supervising the artists.
Jamila Mater said that the art originates in Asir and is seen on houses leading from Abha airport. It consists of various geometric shapes painted with a selection of bright colors she said.
However she said that some of the artwork on public walls in the city has been ruined by expatriate workers who have brought their own designs to the streets either for 'social or religious reasons.'
Jamila Mater said she hoped that there would soon be an academy set up to teach this type of art and especially have women the traditional creators back into producing these pieces.
Fatima Hassan Assiri said: 'Asiri women used to boast about their taste and talent. They made money selling their pieces.' She said many women are now working to preserve this art form handed down by their mothers and grandmothers.