Truth has many sides, says artist Ali Merza
Manama : “I have exhibited my works in several places and participated in several competitions but this is the first time I am showcasing an installation,” said Bahraini artist Ali Merza who won the first place at the 44th Bahrain Annual Fine Arts Exhibition, which began here yesterday.
“I am happy to have won this prize, it is an honour,” he said. Deputy Premier, HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, opened the Exhibition, who was deputised by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister. The expo is being held under the patronage of HRH Prime Minister.
Organized by Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA), this year’s edition of the exhibition is being held in a tent set by BACA next to Arad Fort in celebration of “Muharraq as Capital of Islamic Culture 2018”.
Speaking about his thought process behind the art piece that won him the first prize, Ali Merza said, “Each man contemplates the truth from a certain perspective and expresses it from his own point of view considering its opposite as invalid. Nowadays, convincing others with one point of view regarding any issue/idea seems impossible. Disagreement about any truth means there is an opposition to opinions. While thinking about these thoughts, several questions preoccupied me. Why we’ve been created differently? When population increased, opinions varied because each eye has a different view of truth, even for a unique scene. What is the benefit of human existence within such divergence of views? While drawing, I wonder if it’s my duty to make life beautiful for people, and convinced them that it merits to be lived? Not sure. I realize that even if artistic/philosophical orientations are multiplied, only life is the reality, it’s the truth we lived despite differences of views, and anything else is an area of research/experience for the artist,” he said.
“The regional and international successes of the Bahraini fine art movement prove the creativity of Bahraini artists who have embraced the various international artistic trends and schools,” HH Shaikh Ali said.
Fifty-three artists, including Bahrainis and residents, have showcased their creative pieces at the event. The works presented by artists tackled various subjects using different mediums and techniques - painting, photography, installation, sculpture and others. A competition, supervised by an international jury, was held during the opening ceremony.
“Our belief in our creative artists increases year after year. Visitors from the Arab and Islamic countries will come to our city and discover the beautiful side of our nations, such bright image of which we are proud and keen to project to the world,” said BACA President, Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa.
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