• Home
• /
• Entertainment

STROKES OF LEBANESE CULTURE

Fouad Tomb, the Lebanese/Canadian artist-painter, is not new to the UAE. He has exhibited his impressive oil and pastel work regularly in the capital at the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation. Now, the popular artist realises his long time dream of exhibiting in Dubai.

He opened his show, Heart to Heart from Lebanon to Dubai in the lobby of Al Bustan Rotana Hotel on Saturday evening.

Hassan Berro, the Lebanese Ambassador to the UAE who inaugurated the exhibition said, "I am a long time fan of Fouad and his father Maroun Tomb's paintings. I like his style because it explores the Lebanese culture in detail. He is a very innovative artist and always has something new to offer. He is the cultural ambassador of our country."

Ahmed A. Al Banna, Deputy Director General, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry who was a special guest at the show said, "This exhibition provides a perfect platform for peoples of both the cultures to meet and interact. It also has its effect on the economic and tourism sectors as it brings the two communities closer. I like Fouad's paintings as they depict the Arabian tradition of yore. I wish him all the luck."

Hussain Nalkhanday, area manager, Dubai Northern Emirates, Oman of Etihad Airways said, "We sponsored this launch because Beirut was our first destination. This is the best way to get involved with the Lebanese community and we look forward to serve the community in whatever way we can."

On his part, Fouad has a special attachment with the city as he has lived in Dubai for four years during the 1970s and had a burning desire to showcase his talent here. "I always wanted to exhibit my paintings in the emirate but never got a chance to do so. Now it happened and I am glad that people are liking it. Two of my most expensive paintings Ð Fall Explosion and A Fall Dream costing Dh7,550 and 8,000 was picked up within minutes of the opening," said the elated artist.

"I have 34 oil paintings and eight pastel works. Most of my paintings are spontaneous. If a thought comes to me I immediately sit down to work on it and if I dream about a subject I start work on it first thing in the morning."

As most of his paintings are portraits and landscapes, the ace artist explained that he preferred to do portraits of people of the early 1900s as they made very good subjects. Otherwise it's the Arabian tradition and scenes that fascinate him. Actually, this is a passion he has inherited from his father Maroun Tomb. "I am highly inspired by the painting style of my father. Now my daughters are learning from me, said Fouad Tomb, who is all set to start his fine art school, Arts & the Renaissance in Dubai.

Open between 7 and 11pm, the Heart to Heart from Lebanon to Dubai exhibition runs until January 15.