Sharjah, 14 Dec. 2012 (WAM) - Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Corporation has inaugurated an exhibition titled "Horses of the desert" the day before yesterday (Thursday) displaying artworks for the Qatari artist Ali Hasan, hosted by Maraya Art Centre - a spectacular venue for the display of contemporary visual arts at Al Qasba ? with the support of Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company ? du.

Organized by the Department of culture and information, Directorate of arts the exhibition was inaugurated in the presence of Marwan Bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority "Shurooq", Abdullah Al Owais, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Information and Hisham Al Madhloum, Head of Art Directorate at the Department of Culture and Information in Sharjah.

The exhibition features 37 exquisite artworks, paintings and calligraphies by eminent Qatari artist Ali Hasan, as part of the 15th edition of a month-long exhibition on contemporary and classical Islamic and Arab art titled ?Islamic Arts Festival?. Started off on 13th December 2012, the event will conclude on January 12th 2013.

Maraya Art Centre?s Manager Giuseppe Moscatello commented, "We are very happy to support the Islamic Arts Festival this year during its 15th edition. Maraya Art Centre, since its inception, has played a pivotal role in promoting all forms of art, bringing to the fore both novice and established artists in Sharjah. The emirate is rightly called the cultural heart of the region and we are proud to play an important role in further establishing its position as such." Ali Hasan was originally trained as a calligrapher and is known for creating a synergetic blend of traditional Arabic calligraphy and contemporary use of colour, shape, and form. He is known for his enthusiasm for a diverse range of art styles, techniques and media. None of his creations, including artworks made from ceramics and collage, follow a linear evolution from one period to the next; rather he always has a multitude of different projects running simultaneously.

In addition to the main exhibition, French artist Jonathan Brechignac?s ?Prayer Carpets? will also be on display in Maraya Art Gallery entrance. Drawn by hand on paper using only pencil and black ballpoint pen, each carpet is a full sized depiction of an Islamic Prayer Carpet and a testament to patience and dedication.

Moscatello went on to say, "Despite coming from starkly different backgrounds, both artists have a strong sense of fusion and aesthetics, and a flexible and very individual style which is both fresh and inspiring."Over 100 events, lectures, workshops, film shows, educational courses and musical performances around the emirate are on offer. Hundreds of works from artists all across the world are being featured at the Islamic Arts Festival.

The Maraya Art Centre?s is a stage for creative experimentation and a testament to the region?s extraordinary artistic talents. The centre?s aim, as always, has been to promote and encourage emerging artists and creative communities from the U.A.E and the region.

Maraya Art Centre is a non-profit art space and cultural platform located in Al Qasba, Sharjah, an initiative by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), with the purpose to promote young artists from the Arab region, and from the international art scene.

The Maraya Art Centre was officially launched in March 2010 as one of the UAE?s most spectacular venues for contemporary visual arts.

Maraya Art Centre is a three-storey art centre established over 1500 square meters located in the heart of UAE?s cultural capital; and includes Maraya Art Gallery on the third floor, the Barjeel Art Foundation on the second floor, that is the private collection of Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, and Maraya Community on the first floor for programs and educational activities.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2012.