Doha: The world celebrates the World Art Day on April 15 (today) each year and the day was proclaimed at the 40th session of Unesco's General Conference in 2019 as a celebration to promote the development, diffusion and enjoyment of art. The World Art Day celebrations help reinforce the links between artistic creations and society, encourage greater awareness of the diversity of artistic expressions and highlight the contribution of artists to sustainable development.
In remarks, visual artist and critics stressed the significance of the World Art Day in highlighting the artistic and aesthetic heritage of nations and peoples, and the role of artists in documenting, inspiring and reflecting the civilised state of societies. Artist Salman Al Malek stressed the importance of betting on culture in its comprehensive sense, visual arts and plastic creativity in particular.
Al Malek noted the comprehensive artistic renaissance in Qatari society and the interest of state institutions in sponsoring art and artists through the efforts led by Qatar Museums, where the country has turned into an open museum of creativity, by promoting the culture of visual arts in society, and establishing arts in every part of the country. Especially during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 where Qatari and international artists created sculptures, and paintings inspired by the culture of the Qatari society, and highlighted the country’s celebration of cultural diversity on its land and its interest in international arts.
Renowned Iraqi artist Ismail Azzam said that the concept of art is evolving, and the artist’s tools are developing and renewed over time which reflects the ability of creativity to absorb social changes and cultural transformations of societies and nations, and the ability of creators to develop their methods of expressing these changes through art and beauty. Azzam noted the renaissance in museums, arts and culture in Qatar, and the richness of art exhibitions and creative programmes organised by Qatar Museums.
Egyptian art critic Dr. Khalid Al Baghdadi stressed the important role of art in bringing about a quantum leap in society, as it is a state of constant passion for all the details of life.
Al Baghdadi stressed the role of the arts in improving thinking, awareness and human sense, and its importance in revitalising the imagination and renewing the energies of the mind, as well as the feeling that life is beautiful, and that aesthetic education that uses culture, arts and all the elements of beauty in nature is a necessary education in stimulating creativity.
