Hard work pays

At the Cultural Foundation in Hall No. 2 on the first floor is an exhibition of oil paintings by a very talented young man, Mohammed Abdullah Al Hammadi (below).

Hammadi is a delightful, unassuming young man and extremely gifted. Interested in art from childhood, it was only in 1994 that Hammadi began to take lessons at the Art Workshop in the Cultural Foundation. He had been moved and impressed at how much disabled artists managed to achieve by using only their feet or holding the brush in their mouths.

Hammadi wanted to thank God for giving him hands that he could use, and use them he did. Under the guidance, tuition and encouragement of Shahina, head of the art workshop, he became a dedicated and diligent painter. The result of seven years' training, hard work and self-discipline is an exhibition of beautiful, vibrant paintings.

Inspired by Van Gogh, Monet and Cezanne, Hammadi has developed his own style and technique. The love for his country is depicted in his landscapes and seascapes that shimmer with light and colour and tone. They are vivid, yet gentle. One can feel the warmth of the sun in the lanes and fields, dappling palm trees and splashing light on to the Maqta Tower. "The Farm" and some of the flower paintings have a strong sense of design that remind one of a beautiful tapestry. Mohammed's use of impasto, particularly in "The Well", adds to its freshness and brilliance. All of the paintings are bathed in a clear, pure, soft light.