Barjeel founder has his art in the right place

Sharjah: Each image tells a story; it captures a moment in time — one that refuses to be just a brief mention in a newspaper but rather one that lives on forever.

The Barjeel Art Foundation portrays the Arabian pulse through the artistic perspective of its founder Shaikh Sultan Saud Al Qasimi, who describes art as a powerful medium that Arabs can use to reach out to the rest of the world to explain their hopes and aspirations.

"It depicts the challenges and injustices that Arabs face such as occupation and stereotyping."

Barjeel intends to specifically showcase contemporary Arab art by artists living in the region and abroad. Barjeel means a wind tower, a structure that enables the circulation of air in a building.

"The Barjeel as an emblem represents our intention quite well. It is a fluid space for the circulation of artwork and flows of ideas. When I began collecting art, it was never my intention to keep it only for my own enjoyment.

"Keeping art away from public view defeats the purpose of the artwork itself and essentially diminishes its power as a communication device," he said.

No restrictions

Al Qasimi sees art as a language and communication tool that can also be a way of sending out a message, which is not restricted to any one medium.

Regarding his attraction to art he said: "I believe my initial interest in art and collecting art began with an interest in reading and collecting books.

"As a child I always enjoyed going to the Sharjah International Book Fair, an exciting cultural event that features a vast collection of literature from around the world."

To him, books serve as a point of entry into a vast array of subjects and he believes that books were the trigger of his interest in art as a form of storytelling.

Al Qasimi is drawn to the impressionist school of art because it reminds him of the time he spent in Paris as a student visiting the various museums. He holds a master's degree in Global Banking and Finance from the European Business School in London and a bachelor's degree in International Business Administration from the American University of Paris.

Currently he holds a number of prestigious positions in various fields.

"The main objective of the Barjeel Art Foundation is to show how art in the Arab world is both nuanced and in a constant state of transformation. The artworks are a point of entry into the many themes that shape the cross-cultural story of Arab identities.

The Foundation hopes to create an interactive network for these artworks to be viewed. We would like to make these artworks available to both local and international exhibitions," he said.

With relation to the era of art that he most cherishes, he said: "I am intrigued by Arab art that was created around times of conflict because I believe that art can capture the emotions and experiences of these artists during these trying times."

He selects work that either challenges or offers critical insight into the issues that relate to Arab cultures and politics. The Barjeel Art Foundation showcases a variety of paintings, photography, and sculpture and installation art.