Qatar – After organizing uncountable ‘successful’ art events in UAE, Funun arts has proved yet again that no matter where they go, they will stand tall and excel with a wonderful team and innovative ideas. This was proven at the recently concluded international Event – The Qatar International Art Festival, 2021.
Funun Arts participated in the 3rd edition of the festival with 20 artists from UAE, and other parts of the world of which 13 artists had the privilege to attend the event in person. The Mega Event was inaugurated by His Excellency Prof Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara, Qatar along with the event head and president of Maps International WLL Mrs. Rashmi Aggarwal. Adding beauty to the opening ceremony and making it a huge success, HRH Princess Dr. Moradeun Ogunlana USA- Nigeria attended the event along with many VVIP’s, Diplomats and Ambassadors from around the world.
The 5-day festival started on 24th October and lasted till the 28th October 2021. During the festival days, a total of eight events like painting and sculpture Exhibition, Live Painting Symposium, Artistic Fashion Show, Master classes, Cultural Talks & Panel discussion, Qatar Cultural Tour, and Award ceremony were organised. 300 artists, 65 countries and 6 art galleries were part of this Mega Art Festival. The festival was hosted in Katara Cultural Village, Doha which is the beautiful hub for art and culture.
Funun Arts organizers Ms Shiba Khan and Ms Farah Khan were glad to share their experience about the Event with Asian Herald. In an exclusive interview they said that Events like these leave a great impact on all the participating artists and galleries because of the quality of the artwork, the way things are organized, and the joyful artists group.
Shiba Khan said “We were the most happening group as we lived through each moment of the festival and made sure that each moment is captured and made into a beautiful memory.” She appreciated the event head Mrs. Rashmi Aggarwal by saying “Rashmi is a dynamic leader, who has all the quality of making things beautiful and well organized. She had put in all the effort to make it a big successful event and it was evident in all the aspects with respect to the festival.” She also stated that the organizers made sure that everything was spot on starting from the arrival of the artists to the end of the event. A special mention goes to the Consulate General of Indonesia in Qatar Mr. Ridwan Hassan and his whole family for their warm hospitality and for making sure that all the artists felt at home at his place.
Ms Farah Khan said that, “It was indeed a fantastic show put together with all colors adding beauty to it. For the artists who were not able to make to the event, we went LIVE via our social media accounts, all thanks to technology, and we made sure they never missed anything. Our social media accounts were flooded with the messages of appreciation and best wishes. We thank Allah Almighty for His blessings and gives credit to our team, all artists, and our family whose prayers are always there with us.”
Awards and Recognitions
Shiba Khan said, “I am so honored to receive the Brand Ambassador Award representing India, we also received the Gallery Partner Award. A moment we will cherish for years. It is indeed very prestigious for Funun Arts Group. Besides these, there are few more awards which would be added to our profile, like Artistic Fashion Show Award. This needs special mention because we walked the ramp with the kaftan printed with one of our artworks and it was designed by me. I felt as if my passion for fashion designing career has kick- started at the QIAF. Then one of our participating artist Sabah Anees won the best Artist Model Award. All our artists were honored with a certificate and memento. Adding WOW factor to our Group is …. we sold 21 artworks, which is a big achievement and adds one more golden feather to our cap of achievements. For an artist the best thing is when their artwork is appreciated and then sold out, and it all happened at an international art festival platform. What more can a person ask for? Let me add on, we learnt a lot, had a great experience and good networking. These types of festivals are, very important for artists where they can interact with artists from different cultural backgrounds. It helps in thinking beyond your own boundaries.”
FUNUN ARTS -The participating artists
The artists who travelled to Qatar for QIAF with FUNUN Arts Group were Shiba Khan, Farah Khan, Rafa Tom,Jasmine, Mohammed Rizvi, Raisa Rajan, Dr. Devisree, Sabah Anees, Safaa Saeed, Madhuri Musani, Anuradha Bhalla, Raksha Jesrani, Muffazal Abbasbhai Arsiwala, Mohammad Aslam Hussain
The artists who sent their work were Nada Al Barazi, Nafisa Sayeda, Akshay Arora, Anjani Prakash Laitu, Pari Sagar, Dina Al Baraqi,Soumya Shree
John Dewey rightly said “Art is not the possession of the few who are recognized writers, painters, musicians; it is the authentic expression of any and all individuality. Those who have the gift of creative expression in unusually large measure disclose the meaning of the individuality of others to those others. In participating in the work of art, they become artists in their activity. They learn to know and honor individuality in whatever form it appears. The fountains of creative activity are discovered and released. The free individuality which is the source of art is also the final source of creative development in time.”
So, time and again, the philosophy which is the strong foundation of Funun Arts become stronger:
Coming Together is the beginning
Keeping Together is the progress
Working Together is the Success
Funun Arts is a non-profit platform where artists are given an opportunity to exhibit their talents in a space that is affordable and allows them the freedom to enhance their creativity. Funun offers them an experience they will cherish. Emerging as an innovative idea amongst a few artists in 2016, it soon took over the aspiring imagination of the Khan sisters, Shiba and Farah. Funun Arts has been widely appreciated for their initiatives towards social and noble causes for a better society and has been engaged in offering a helping hand to those in need. They believe that art is not only brushes and canvases; it is also a form to communicate your thoughts without any constraint, and that brings about a sense of positive energy which brightens the spirit of the onlooker. Now more than 400 multinational artists are the part of this art community. https://fununart.com/
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