(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Maram Allaghi / The Peninsula
DOHA: While the whole country is immersed in a new-yet-pleasant wave of patriotism and the iconic 'Tamim Al Majd sketch has become a symbol of unity and loyalty in Qatar, an artist at Souq Waqif is also busy creating new portrait paintings of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to express his loyalty with Qatar and its people.
Artist Bilal AlDori showcases his artwork proudly at the Shanashel Art Gallery located at the heart of Souq Waqif. Before coming to Qatar, AlDori was creating pieces of art in Sweden.
'In the media, both mainstream and social, the images and paintings of H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani have brought a sense of belonging and loyalty among people. Reposting and sharing pictures and sketches of the Emir show people's love with their leader. In this way, people express that 'yes we stand behind our Emir and our country, said AlDori who was busy creating a new portrait of the Emir.
Not only has the iconic 'Tamim Al Majd image become a sensation for the people of Qatar but other paintings like the ones AlDori creates with his skilled fingers are also selling at an unusual pace nowadays.
AlDori says that he has worked in Iraq in 1980s as Saddam Hussein's personal artist. He thinks that the pictures of the Emir were helping create a unity in Qatar during the current crisis situation.
'The pictures of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani have helped unite Qatari citizens. Their bond with their leader and with one another is now stronger than ever. Even the residents in Qatar from all around the world feel like it is a heaven for the oppressed and a home for everyone, AlDori observed.
He said that since the start of the blockade, Qataris and non Qataris both used to come to his shop to buy portrait paintings of the Emir. 'In my opinion, fine art plays an important role in educating people and raising their awareness on important issues and events. One painting can express an issue visually and clearly.
For example, he says, that by decorating your vehicles and homes with the images of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Ali Thani you display your support for him. 'It shows others that I stand with Qatar; with its people, and its Emir.
Personally, he said, that he had been living in Qatar for 23 years and 'I feel like this is my home and these are my people. He thinks that the Qataris are different from other gulf nationals, in the sense that they are more polite and hospitable towards other nationalities.
'As an artist, I feel that it is my moral duty to draw the paintings of the Emir and Qatar's life to express Qatari culture through my paintings.
'This is to express to the world that being expats and immigrants, we exist here not to just find a means of living but to share and integrate our cultures with Qatar, said AlDori adding: 'This country is known to be a fertile ground for civilization, and it is being targeted now with this blockade due its immense successes.
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