An Emarati artist Khalid Al Banna

                                          

Khaleejia said: Today i would like to tell you about my friend Khalid al Banna, an Emarati artist who attempts to preserve traditional taste of the youth through his art works. This interview was prepared by him for the Kashya gallery. I asked him to show up in my blog and he happily agreed :) I love his artworks, because they feature national heritage of the khaleej and UAE partiularly. Each artwork is a masterpiece and Khalid definitely has been gifted. His artworks are absolutely unique and the most important thing, his love to the heritage gave him idea on how to demonstrate its pieces in the different way to keep it alive for the new generations.

Visit his site: http://khalidalbanna.com (We are looking for a webdeveloer support to keep his brand site up-to-date, please contact us you re interested and really willing to help khalid@khalidalbanna.com or khalidalbanna@yahoo.com)

Facebook group that reveals the past of the UAE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/431661066844904/

          Some prehistory:

 Khalid Al Banna was born in Sharjah in 1975.He graduated in 1993 with a degree in Architecture Engineering from Emirates University. This background has encouraging him to consider forms and spaces and has enhanced his sense of mass and dimension. In 2002 Al Banna began his apprenticeship with artist Yasir Al Duwaik, who inspired Al Banna to delve into the world of etching and taught him the principles and techniques of that art form.

             

 Read this inspiring interview to know what ideas lies behind the artworks and what/who motivates this talanted Emirati artist in his work.

          What inspired you to become an artist?

I started drawing since my childhood, it was as a hobby that evolved, deepened and entrenched over the time. I got encouraged that i have a talent for drawing and decided to develop it and refine.

 When you say you trained with etchings does that mean you use this technique in all of your work?

 I began  with an etching technique, It was a very difficult technique and unique in the Emirates, I used to produce art work with etching, unfortunately I did not continue with it due to lack of materials and knowledge about it, beside that it needed time to produce art works.I consider it as one of the most difficult technique in the art. 

What training did you receive that influenced your career?

 I got trained in oil, acrylic, coal, and sculpture in Emirates Fine Art Society. 

Who have been your mentors or teachers? 

Yasir Al Dweek, the a Jordanian pioneer of etching is my teacher, I have been  influenced  by different  Artists in Emirates such as Abdul Raheem Slem.

 It would appear the black and white work are more a reference to the dark politics in the Middle East the colorful sculpture work are more a reflection of the social trends that exist now. Can you expand on this.What influences your work most? Politics, Current events? 

Basically my work was influenced by the dramatic events in the Middle East such as the 1^st and the 2^nd Gulf War along with terroristic attack on 11 September in New York City back in 2000.Those periods were dark and gloomy that determined my choice of black color for the paintings as it is commonly associated with sadness and depression.

The fabric materials reflect a result of the rapid development experienced by the UAE.

Within just 30 years since establishment of the Union, lots of new things have appeared that have changed social life and the same time many of customs and traditions have disappeared.

Human behavior have been changed from a simple to complex life in the UAE as well.I tried to use raw cloth which have roots in the history of the UAE, as a way to link the past with the present. It is my attempt to revive these materials before they disappear once and for ever.This fabric works clearly demonstrate the economic impacts on the Arab Emirates nationals, showing feelings and emotions that exposure as a result of the economic crisis.

                                      

Do you work simultaneously with both series of work? (sculpture and B&W?)

 I work all the time on the idea, I may use either black or white or fabric techniques, that assist me to produce that art work which based on my idea.Sometimes I combine two techniques at a time.

  Do you feel it opens up more possibilities?        

The experience, repetition and research push an artist  to open new horizons fields  and get new ideas.

Sometimes while I am working I get an idea generated by another work of art. It is a series of interrelated ideas that are sequential.

 Do both bodies of work reflect personal experiences you have had or are they more reflective of your perceptions of change in the UAE?

Some of art work reflects personal experiences and some of them are a reflection of perception on changes in the UAE. 

                              

 Do you view your work as giving a historical context to the fast changing UAE?

My art works has their history that came through the old materials that are used used primarily in the garment of the Emirati dress (“thoub”). The row materials have historical roots which associated with the local Emirati heritage. Now a days, new generation become more interested in the modern fashion trends that leads them far away from everything that represents our local heritage and traditions. I got an idea to make this old materials as part of my art work, as an attempt to protect this fabrics from its extinction. 

Have you ever lived outside of the UAE?No I have not tried this experience yet. Does your work make any reference to your own identity and any persona struggles you have experienced?

 In some works I imagined the suffering of some friends affected directly by the economic crisis and in some works I give an idea of ​​the suffering of others from the experiences of wars and crises.

P.S.Everyone who got interested, you have a unique chance to buy Khalid's artworks through his site.

With love by Khaleejia

Arabic jewelry my choice

Khaleejia said:
Couple of weeks ago my husband asked me to search through some gold stores for something I would like to have as my birthday gift. As I really wanted something special and cute I went to the local gold souk, visited some jewelry shops but did not find anything matching my taste nor did i feel special while trying them on. Then I decided to search online for some products and latest jewelry fashion in the Middle East. The market is very huge but there is one particular site I visited by chance and found very different and interesting. It iswww.goldcraft.com.sa, a jewelry manufacturing company from Saudi Arabia with the name Gold Craft شركة فن الذهب. I was also surprised to learn that they are delivering to any part of the world.
So my choice stops on this one as I see it over others for these 10 resasons:

First, I am so fascinated with their jewelry collection! This collection is exactly what i need.
Second, It is high quality jewelry and something new in the market
Third, Finely made masterpiece based on one of the best kind of the Arabian calligraphy. 
I am sure that Arabian calligraphy is one of the most attractive and beautiful thing in the world that is loved by people from different nations and countries and to have it as jewelry piece with anything written is a big pleasure. 

Fourth, All name jewelry is made to order and processed once the order is placed.! So, to have your name written in it is exactly what this company does. It would make you feel even more pleased, special and unique as this jewelry becomes very close to the wearer since it says his/her name on it. This makes the person special as the jewelry is designed for that person only. Additionally the person receives it from someone special to him or her. I love their ideas! 

Fifth,  I am sure it looks great when it’s worn with an abaya or any other outfit. I believe, it will finely decorate any clothes and any personal style. 

Sixth,  Finally there is a gift for MEN other than perfumes, pens, and watches...

Also there is one more interesting  thing why I chose this company's jewelry is:

Seventh,  this company history starts from 1952  when a master craftsman by the name of Abdul Basit Quraishi opened his small gold craft shop  and this has some meaning as one of the oldest Saudi tribe to which belongs  our Prophet , peace be upon Him,  is  Quraish. And this is kind of respect and small chance to feel closer to this famous place.

I really wish this company has branches around the Middle East and not only in KSA but good for us that: 

Eighth, they have web-site with all items list, prices and full order and delivery information worldwide as well. So no upset for the rest of the Middle East and the globe! 

Ninth, They are very fast to respond on the requests and very friendly giving much attention to what you need.


and finally ... 

Tenth, I hope that I’ll enjoy "My Precious Love” gift throughout my life.
Here are the links and some info and pictures of their awesome jewelry collection:


Seasons collection:
Quraishi Collection:

   My precious love:
My dearest daughter collection:
 
 
and even more:
    
Email: info@goldcraft.com.sa
Website: http://www.goldcraft.com.sa
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/goldcraft

 
P.S. While i was downloading these pictures for the post my dearest husband kindly asked me to not forget his birthday as well and so quietly hinted that he liked those studs and beads..! oh man! heh))

Emiratiah’s lifestyle

Khaleejia said: Caution! only for Emiratiah's apparel-style lovers)))
I guess, You all love something khaleeji otherwise you wouldn’t be here. And now i hope to fulfill your expectation with something  extremely  (in a good meaning of the word) khaleeji  as it is a modern twist of the Emirati heritage and luxury Emiratiah’s lifestyle’s apparel that makes all these creations to be so cool!
The work belongs to Aghnag Fashion Design, here is their publications from which you can know a little bit of the launched project by Haleema Seemba.


To see all published content and even order, visit her fb page or contact via aghnag@aghang.ae
Here i post only some of the cutest Aghnag’s ideas.

    And my own favs:
 

With love by Khaleejia

“Creative You!” SHOW-TIME!

Khaleejia said: Congratulations! 
We have safely came to this impatiently expected day!


I was so impressed with all those works i’ve been receiving during this time since Khaleeji culture by your hands “SHOW-TIME” project started that now i am just speechless and leave you all to let you simply ENJOY!


Huge thanx again to everyone who took part in the Project! I am pretty sure your work will reach hearts and amaze.
To those who wanted to participate but went out of time, we will definitely give this opportunity again!


So, here we go:
Great works
#1. by Nur Syabanah from Malaysia
That is her comment on her abaya design:

“I’m the person that love to wear abaya and i like to be different, i create this abaya because i want people want to wear it and stop thinking  negatively about it as some  people do,i hope my new design will remove all the negative critic about beautiful abaya and make people wanna wear it! Specially this design you can wear for casual  or formal look.”

http://pinkpetitecouturebynur.blogspot.com/
   Give thumbs up!
_____________________________________
Next is…
#2 Soyini Kerr
Designer of the Original Tiara Hijab Specializing in Abaya construction
That is what her says

“Here is an abaya I did. It is a butterfly style abaya with gold 3D flower trim. It is one of my favorite abayas. Aside from the abaya itself I think the flower trim gives it a real khaleeji feel.”

 
Web Store: http:// kemarahunlimited.webs.com

Blog: kemarahunlimitd.blogspot.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/Kemarahunlimitd

Thank you Soyini!
__________________________________

#3. Layla Sisk


Beautiful Layla shares her Khaleeji Makeup look


  and…
Khaleeji sheylah/hijab wrap tutorials!!!:

Thumbs up to you too!


Thank you Layla for sharing with us your khaleeji creations! Love it!
_____________________________________


#4 Sangmo from Germany,


Who has amazing hobby that is a “must see”:
Here is a comment of the author :

“Fashion drawing, design and embroidery is made by me. I make it just for fun as my hobby, because I love it.”

Dear Sangmo,plz  tell us more about this art! It’s really amazing!


_____________________________________


#5 Fatouma Nasr


Gorgeous woman originally from Madagaskar (living in France) with her muslim and khaleeji  life style:



 




Your photography is very khaleeji and absolutely fabulous!


Fatouma’s facebook group: - Hijab Style Zanatany Madagascar:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=119062344790799
and blog:  http://saphira001.blogspot.com


Thank you for participating as well!

***

This is almost all for now. Plz if you read this post and like it don’t delay to 


give your feedbacks and comments!




With love by Khaleejia