(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
The paintings delve into a wide variety of subjects related to nature and Qatari culture. They impressed people who have seen them including professional artists during the expo which also included a live demonstration by the young artists.
By Raynald C Rivera
Doha: To say that visual arts are only created for and by those who can see is something of a misnomer.
Art is beauty which everyone appreciates and enjoys regardless of status in life thus art must be inclusive. Equal opportunity must be provided to all including the visually impaired to experience art.
Latest figures show that 285 million people around the world are visually impaired 85 percent of which are low vision while the rest are blind.
The importance of art in the learning process as well as the skills it provides which people need in their lives is well acknowledged by educational institutions including those specialised in educating the visually impaired.
“We provide vast opportunity for our students to learn art and handicraft through technical workshops where they are well guided” Laila Darwish art teacher at Al Noor Institute for the Blind told Doha Today.
For the first time the Institute showcased artworks by some of its female students in a three-day exhibition called “Seeing through My Paintbrush” which concluded yesterday at Katara Art Studios.
The expo shed light into the abilities of visually impaired in the world of art which to date has not been much explored and given the attention they deserve.
“These are the works of talented visually impaired students who express their feelings and thinking through painting” Darwish explained of the 45 artworks of three female students Farhana Hafeth Nawal Al Ahbabi and Amna Sudqi.
When the girls started with basic drawing they have shown much passion and the programme provide them necessary skills and techniques to excel in oil and water-based painting she said.
Looking at the work of the students one can realise they have gone a long way displaying brilliance in painting despite having low vision.
“Whoever sees the paintings will realise the skills the female students have and the effort they made and they are not different from what ordinary artists do” said Katara General Manager Dr Khaled bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti.
The paintings — mostly landscape and still — delve into a wide variety of subjects related to nature and Qatari culture. They impressed people who have seen them including professional artists during the expo which also included a live demonstration by the young artists.
Khalid Sayeed Al Sheaibi Director of Public Relations and Community Service at Al Noor Institute for the Blind stressed the significance of learning art for the visually impaired and that giving them exposure through exhibitions is an invaluable experience for them as budding artists.
But more than enhancing their learning and experience it is essential to have students get involved in the community through art Darwish believes.
“They are part of the society and they can contribute something to the community through their artworks making them valuable members” she said adding the experience of the young artists in creating the paintings resonates to people who see the works.
“The paintings connect and radiate a good feeling to the beholder. The young artists offer something beautiful to the people who see their works” she said.
It was the first time the institute collaborated with Katara to put up such an exhibition.
“This is the first time Al Noor Institute for the Blind has staged this exhibition and we want more people see to see these paintings” said Al Sheaibi.
“I hope we will have more exhibitions in the future where the students will be given chance to display their works not only in Katara but in other venues as well” said Darwish.
Al Noor Institute for the Blind provides educational services catered to individual needs of the visually impaired in Qatar and other parts of the world. It is one of the initiatives the country has undertaken aimed at enhancing accessibility for persons with disabilities and providing opportunities for education and employment.
Among other initiatives include Qatar Assistive Technology Center (Mada) the Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs and the Qatar Society for Rehabilitation of Special Needs.
The Peninsula