Riyadh-Saudi writer Fadilah al-Jaffal prepares for the launch of an art exhibition that highlights the most prominent historical and political events in the life of King Abdulaziz, founder of Saudi Arabia, inspired by real photographs for the king.

Commenting on the project, Jaffal says that old photographs may look dull, but paintings emphasize a sort of glory, adding that most of the photographs she worked on have been in black and white, therefore she made efforts to reveal the spirit they hold.

Concerning the paintings, she said that she gathered many photographs in one archive and chose those that feature the most prominent events, among them the famous meetings of the King with the U.S. President Roosevelt on the warship Quincy after World War II; with British PM Winston Churchill; King Farouk of Egypt; Sheikh Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa in Bahrain; and his visits to Kuwait with Sheikh Jaber Ahmad Al Sabah; to Basra invited by British Sir Percy Cox; the historical visit to Aramco in the Eastern Region; and his flight on the first plane establishing the Saudi Airlines.

Jaffal continued that Saudi Arabia witnesses an important phase that requires the enhancement of national belonging by remembering people of important national figures and symbols that made history and deserves acknowledgment.

According to the Saudi writer, King Abdulaziz the founder enjoyed an exceptional personality that unified a dismantled entity and transformed it into a real country. She pointed that this exhibition will emphasize a part of the transfer from the phase of foundation to the phase of identity, which is expressed by Vision 2030.

Jaffal said that this project is not a practice of her hobby and that she is dealing with it as part of her job, vision, and missions.

As per the launch date, she said she plans to coincide it with the 86th National Day and has hoped to have the sufficient time to introduce this event in a fine and delicate way.

Fadilah al-Jaffal is an opinion columnist in many newspapers and magazines including Al Eqtisadiah and Asharq Al-Awsat, and she is currently working as a consultant in Than Tank House. She worked as a freelance journalist and served in positions in Aramco and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology. She has also published many books including “Days with Marine Forces: memoires of Saudi Journalist with Coalition and U.S Forces.”

Source: english.aawsat.com