ISLAMABAD: Pakistani painter Rabia Zakir, who on Worldwide Girls’s Day this week turned the primary worldwide artist to carry a solo present in Madinah, has praised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Imaginative and prescient 2030 reform plans for selling arts and tradition in Saudi Arabia.
Zakir is well-known in diplomatic circles for her portraits of Arab leaders, together with the Saudi crown prince and members of the royal households of the UAE and Bahrain. Her portraits and landscapes cling in 50 embassies in Pakistan, most prominently of Arab international locations similar to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman.
In an interview with Arab Information by way of phone from Madinah, Zahir mentioned she had seen a “clear change” within the arts and tradition scene in Saudi Arabia “as a result of particular curiosity of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman underneath his Imaginative and prescient 2030.”
Her solo present within the Kingdom, which she described as a “journey of religion,” was an indication of the altering instances.
“I’m feeling very proud to turn out to be the primary feminine artist from exterior Saudi Arabia to current her work within the holy metropolis of Madinah,” Zahir mentioned. “I don’t have phrases to clarify my happiness.”
Zahir mentioned her items on show embody portraits of Saudi leaders and work depicting Islamic holy locations.
“It has panorama work of Haram, Masjid Nabawi, completely different locations in Makkah and Madinah that Muslims go to throughout their pilgrimage of Hajj and Umrah,” Zakir added.
The artist mentioned she had been approached by the Saudi Arabian Society for Tradition and Arts round six months in the past after officers seen her work on social media.
“They provided to current my work to the Saudi public by organizing a solo exhibition,” she mentioned, including that the federal government of Pakistan was not concerned within the exhibition, which was an entirely Saudi initiative.
Zakir has additionally been offered with an award by the Saudi Arabian Society for Tradition and Arts for “strengthening Pak-Saudi ties” and might be holding a coaching workshop for younger Saudi artists.
Fatma Ragab, the organizer of the exhibition from the society, mentioned the physique welcomed intellectuals and creators from everywhere in the world.
“Zakir’s exhibition, which incorporates 27 creative work, was a terrific success and achieved exceptional attendance and admiration from notable personalities, artists, and intellectuals,” she informed Arab Information in an announcement.
“It’s a one-of-a-kind alternative for Saudi nationals to get acquainted intently with the high-quality artwork motion in Pakistan and their wealthy creative experiences.”
