A portrait of Hassan Sharif. -Photo by Maaziar Sadr
Dubai - In an interview with Khaleej Times, Kazem - an accomplished and internationally known Emirati contemporary artist - fondly recalled that his relationship with Sharif began decades ago, in 1984.
Published: Wed 21 Sep 2016, 7:30 AM
Updated: Wed 21 Sep 2016, 3:31 PM
Artist Hassan Sharif was an essential part of the UAE's art scene whose legacy will live on for years to come, according to close friend and protégé Mohammed Kazem.
In an interview with Khaleej Times, Kazem - an accomplished and internationally known Emirati contemporary artist - fondly recalled that his relationship with Sharif began decades ago, in 1984.
"I first met him at the Emirates Fine Arts Society in Sharjah after he graduated from the Byam Shaw School of Art in England," he said. "But he was already well known for his caricature work in the UAE, which covered many things that were happening in the GCC and the Middle East, whether they were political, social or even sports."
According to Kazem, on his return from Britain, Sharif "found that there was a gap between society and the visual arts, particularly contemporary and abstract art".
"I was one his students when he came back, mostly focused on painting," he noted. "And I didn't leave his side until now." Kazem added that he remembers the keen interest that Sharif took in his students, whom he regarded as friends and colleagues.
"I was so surprised when I first met him. I'm 47 years old now, and he was almost 20 years older than me, but even from the beginning, he took me very seriously," he said. "He was the one who photographed my work, and even took it to be framed. Most teachers just come to you and then leave."
Commenting on Sharif's contribution to the cultural landscape of the emirates, Kazem said that it went far beyond his body of work and teaching.
"He didn't only make art. He was also an art critic. He published many essays, ranging from the history of art to contemporary and conceptual art," he noted. "He was also doing many activities at once.
"He had a lot of material in Arabic and English. He wasn't focused on the commercial aspects of it all."
Additionally, Kazem said that Sharif was vital to the establishment of proper events for artists to showcase their work, which at one time were scarce in the UAE.
"We practised art every day, but there were very few events. Sometimes eight or nine months went by with nothing," he added. "He taught us many things in this regard."
Kazem said that Sharif's most important contribution to the UAE was, without a doubt, his ability to bring artists of all kinds together as a community. "He'd even offer his old house to us all to sit with him. We really became like a family," he said. "I even lived with him for a time and we became very close.
"I learned many things from the elder artists I met there, particularly Sharif. He read in three languages, and provided us with a lot of information. Even after 30 years, you can still see the effect he had even on filmmakers and other types of artists. He left a lot for us, and we have very rich material."
bernd@khaleejtimes.com
E-Paper
Sign In
0°C 
