Ali Khalil Al-Zaydi, a Kuwaiti photographer, who won the palme d’or of the third GCC visual art forum 2015, displays his works. —KUNA

DOHA: Ali Khalil Al-Zaydi, a Kuwaiti photographer, won on Sunday night the palme d’or of the third GCC visual art forum 2015. His five winning photographs depict various cultures and social traditions; they were taken from India, Nepal and Ethiopia. After the prize-giving ceremony, Al-Zaydi expressed joy for the award, saying it’s a great achievement for the participating Kuwaiti artists. “This achievement reflects Kuwait’s care for the talented youth,” he said, citing the role of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) in this regard.

Al-Zaydi noted that he gained useful experience from his participation in this art forum and interaction with notable artists from the GCC countries. He added that he plans to take part in the international visual art festival in Italy, voicing hope to add a new achievement for the Kuwaiti artistic movement in that forum. The third annual GCC visual art forum was opened earlier Sunday evening by Qatari Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Dr. Hamad bin Abdulaziz Al Kuwari at the Cultural Village Foundation-Katara in collaboration with the GCC Secretariat

Mideast conflicts

Paintings of Kuwaiti artist Samar Al-Bader, part of Doha’s Gulf artists’ exhibition, have successfully depicted suffering of some of the Middle Eastern countries which experienced turmoil. She said her paintings, dubbed ancient cities in changing time, depicted a small city which contained differences in opinions, ambitions and dreams coupled with variation of relations.

Speaking to KUNA, Al-Bader said there were intensive use of lines, colors and symbols which were merging in an oriental spirit with the objective of creating a bond amongst them. She said these exhibitions were important because artists exchange expertise.

They are also a chance to visit museums and cultural sites of the host country, added Al-Bader. Al-Bader has participated in many exhibitions in Arab and Gulf countries, and was chosen among the best contemporary artists in 2013 and 2015.

Qatari Minister of Culture Hamad Al-Kawari inaugurated the exhibition, in which six Gulf artists were displaying 40 paintings. Hanadi Al- Darweesh, director of the Visual Arts Department at the Qatari Culture Ministry, said the exhibitions showed how rich the Arab and Islamic culture and history were. —KUNA