Sharjah: A labour accommodation in Sharjah Industrial area was transformed into an open-air art studio on Friday.
Around 800 labourers got a chance to have some colour in their lives as artists and volunteers, came together to make a little difference.
An initiative to celebrate Ramadan with the less-privileged section of the society, Zee Arts organised the event with a brush, canvas and some colour. The artists sponsored an iftar at the labour accommodation.
Zaahirah Muthy, founder of Zee Arts said: “This is a platform where artists and art activists get to connect with the society and give back the love that they’ve been receiving.”
The project helped connect artists from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman to contribute 800 iftar boxes and goody bags containing toiletries.
Muthy said it was surprising to see such great response to the initiative.=
“We received very good response from the artists, who were willing to contribute or volunteer. This proves that artists have soft hearts and a strong fraternity when it comes to community services,”she added.
She said that it was exciting to see how slowly the labour camp transformed into an open air studio.
“In the beginning they were a wee bit reluctant and intimidated to touch the canvas. But we easily could break the ice by approaching them individually. They painted freely, without any inhibition, most of them painted their houses, their wife or national Flags,” she said.
Virender, a labour who participated in the initiative said that he works in Dubai so that he can build a house in his native country.
Abdul Halim painted his wife’s face as he was parted from his spouse merely five months after getting married.
Pouring their hearts out on the canvas, most of the labourers said that they barely get to speak with their families but the thought of their wellbeing keeps them going.
