School Artwork

As a young Omani girl, living in a fast modernizing culture, my work reflects on the role cultural heritage should play in our modern times. I started the course aiming to create an exhibition that encouraged people to reflect on and value cultural heritage. I am in no way suggesting we should not modernize. Yes we should be as diverse as the countries around us to make it easier to communicate, develop and promote global relationships. But to a certain limit that does not take over our cultural identity, because once it is lost it will not be easy to bring it back. My earlier pieces visually celebrate a balance of both traditional and modern elements, and how our leader The Sultan Qaboos in many of his speeches promotes the balance of originality and modernization. I realize that a countries’ cultural heritage often intertwines and crosses over with different cultures, I explored that idea as relationships and influences on heritage. I created series of pieces that celebrate the impacts and similarities between Omani, Indian and African heritage. Next, I looked at this theme from a global perspective, asking many people from different cultures what heritage means to them, and celebrating their history. Finally, I wanted people to leave the exhibition questioning, should we hold on or let go of our heritage and to consider how to create a balance? My biggest inspiration has been HM Sultan Qaboos’ speeches and many artists, to name a few, Alia Al Farsi, Hassan Meer, El Anatsui and Lynette Ten Krooden. I was also influenced by my surroundings and first hand experiences for example, places of cultural significance, Galleries, workshops, Art fairs and interviewing people. From this point I started exploring different processes, techniques and developing my own styles.