National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) unveiled the “Ship and the Sail" sculpture, a masterpiece designed and crafted by the world-renowned Emirati artist and sculptor Mattar bin Lahej, that depicts the stages of Kuwait's modern renaissance.

The new masterpiece was presented at NBK's headquarters during a special event attended by Chairman and executive management and a large gathering of employees.

To celebrate NBK’s 70th anniversary, the sculpture will be exhibited at the entrance of the Bank’s headquarters as a monument to its heritage, core values, and dedication to serving the community. It also encapsulates the Bank's history, present, and future, as well as its dedication to Kuwait's development. It also embodies the NBK’s mission of empowering individuals and communities to achieve their financial goals.

"This masterpiece embodies a historical and economic dimension firmly anchored in seven decades of Kuwait's economic and financial history,” said Mr. Isam Al-Sager, Vice Chairman and Group CEO of National Bank of Kuwait Group.

“As we keep an eye on the future, this sculpture is a constant reminder of our rich history and a beacon of our continued progress and prosperity. It also serves as another milestone in establishing our brand leadership and distinction in Kuwait,” Al-Sager added.

“We are extremely proud that this unique masterpiece is part of our heritage, reflecting an inspirational success narrative for future generations of our esteemed financial organization and reputable brand name in the region and the world,” Al-Bahar concluded.

Pearls and Oysters

“The Ship and the Sail" sculpture is a visual masterpiece that emulates the design of NBK’s headquarters, inspired by the shapes of "pearls and oysters.” Bin Lahej designed the sculpture to reflect several ships molded into a single form, with the sails of the ships moving in one direction.

The iconic sculpture chronicles NBK’s history since its foundation and the rise of Kuwait and the region’s economic fortunes, which in turn set the stage for economic freedom that later paved the way for full sovereignty and the emergence of NBK as the first national bank and the first incorporated/ listed company in Kuwait and the GCC.

Bin Lahej honored the founding members of NBK by inscribing the Amiri Decree onto the sails of the sculpture using "Harf Mattar" or Mattar's letter, a unique calligraphic font created and used exclusively by him. The late Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah signed the Amiri Decree on May 19, 1952, which specifies the names of the NBK's founders, a group of first generation Kuwaitis who founded the country's first national bank.

Moreover, "The Ship and the Sail" is an iconic sculpture in its engineering, harmoniously juxtaposed against the Bank’s sustainable building. The result is a visual masterpiece that connects the aesthetics of a high-quality building with a sculpture that celebrates the heritage and the foundation of Kuwait’s economy, a reflection of NBK’s vision based on originality, stability, and the future.

Mattar bin Lahej is an Emirati artist who contributed to creating of the world's most beautiful building by designing Arabic letters calligraphy that produced a creative, artistic, and civilized touch in UAE’s Museum of the Future.

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