Fayez, Deputy Minister of Education for Women's Affairs, inaugurated for ladies the sixth solo exhibition of Saudi artist Hanan Bahamdan at Al-Hiwar Gallery, Kingdom Tower, here at the weekend. The exhibition, entitled, “Wojooh Manseyyah” features 68 of the artist's works, will run until June 24 with every Tuesday being set aside for women only. Abdullah Bahamdan, Chairman of the Board of the National Commercial Bank, inaugurated the same exhibition for the general public on May 24 in the presence of Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information, and Ibrahim Al-Tasan. Dr. Al-Khoja praised the artist's innovation and professionalism, adding that the Saudi fine arts movement is progressing rapidly with talented artists gaining media attention and the interest and support of the Ministry of Culture and Information. Abdullah Bahamdan, the father of the artist, revealed his love of fine arts saying that its aesthetic beauty has the power to transcend the ordinary world, enhance the senses and enrich the soul of man. Shatha Al-Tasan, head of Al-Hiwar Gallery, said that Hanan Bahamdan was the first female Saudi artist to gain international recognition, especially after her enormously successful show “Mansi” gained worldwide artistic attention when it was sold out at Sotheby's Modern and Contemporary Arab and Iranian Art auction. Al-Tasan added that Bahamdan is a distinguished artist, who has opened the door for other Saudi women in the artistic field.
