KUWAIT CITY, Feb 20: Kuwaiti visual artists continued for years to commemorate their country’s liberation anniversary with works documenting and depicting the brutal Iraqi invasion. Under the voluntary (February 26) committee, aptly named after the date of liberation, the nation’s visual artists gather on several occasions to share their stories through art to remind people of the heroics of the Kuwaiti people during one the country’s darkest periods.

Speaking to KUNA, A’nbar Waleed – a visual artist and lecturer at the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts – affirmed that the invasion had helped sharpen his loyalty to Kuwait and consequently this was refl ected in the art he produced.

The apprehensive nature of the invasion made art related to this period very dark and emotive, he said, adding that this approach shifted after liberation. A’nbar indicated that the artistic movement post-invasion saw it paramount to depict the harrowing experience Kuwaitis went through despite getting rid of the occupiers, but mixing felling of sorrow and hope in the art was an interesting balance that brought in solemn remainders of loving the land people live in.

Similarly, member of the teaching staff at the institute and former POW Waleed Sarab affirmed that he was overjoyed with liberation, noting that his participation in the 1991 exhibition (February 26: the pain and the hope) in Kuwait was solely focused on depicting the pain felt by Kuwait’s POWs. Sarab stressed that though his imprisonment was painful, he held on to hope, reflecting that memory in 14 works of art during the exhibition. Meanwhile , the Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center (ASCC) announced that it would organize special celebrations on the occasion of Kuwait’s national celebrations for visitors to the center, who will enjoy a modern technical art exhibition called Renaissance from February 23-27.

Speaking to KUNA Sunday, ASCC said that this exhibition comes in honor of the late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who was nicknamed the father of the modern renaissance, as the fine arts center is named after the late Ibrahim Al-Shatti. ASCC will host the poet Bader Bourisli, to recite patriotic poetry, and many well-known bands, so that visitors can enjoy listening to patriotic songs, the center said.

The center does not forget its young visitors, as it confirmed that it will provide them with scientific and entertaining workshops, such as make a rocket, make perfumes, and other entertaining experiences. The visitors will also see the center’s dinosaurs to interact with them and take some photos, it explained. The center pointed to the presence of a large number of small and large youth projects at a food fair to provide some snacks in the square overlooking the Arabian Gulf. (KUNA)