JEDDAH: The “Nile Art” wing displaying some 200 works by Saudi artists at Furnidex Arabia 2011 has captured the interest of visitors to the home décor and furnishings exhibition in Jeddah. The works by some of the most well-known names in the Kingdom represent a variety of artistic schools from hyper-reality to abstract, and include photographs, oil paintings, sculpture and pottery work. Organizer Nile Mala said he hoped to see more such ventures at international décor exhibitions to help promote art, which he described as “not complementary to décor, but fundamental”. Among the most prominent of the artists whose work is on display is Yousif Jaha, who has two paintings depicting old traditional houses of Jeddah at the wing, while Hassan Abdul Majed has four abstract works on show. Fatima Baudhaim said that exhibiting her works and the wing at Furnidex Arabia represented a “new approach” and a change from the habitual galleries. “It helps art reach a wider audience and promotes some outstanding artists and works of high creative achievement,” she said.
