Yemeni artists showcase talent in caricature exhibition

Caricatures allow for expression of social and political opinion through art.

Hundreds of people attended an exhibition held at the Sana’a Culture House last week to view the completed artworks of participants in a course aimed at developing skills in caricature drawing. The exhibition of caricatures was organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Yemeni Association for Developing Culture and Arts (YADCA). “This exhibition, which will last for a week, consists of 100 pictures and came as a result of a course in which participants were trained in the different ways of drawing caricatures,” said Mohammed al-Maflahi, Minister of Culture.  

Al-Maflahi said that he was happy to open the exhibition which showcased the final works of the course. He also praised the high quality of the caricatures which were done by participants from different newspapers and other artists who were interested in the field. “Participants had a chance to express social and economic issues through their pictures,” he added.

"The Ministry of Culture and YADCA held this course, which was aimed to develop the participants' skills in drawing caricatures," said Yahya al-Dailami, Culture House Manager. He pointed out that many journalists and other interested people had asked the ministry to train them in order to develop their abilities in this area. He said that there were around 12 participants, many of whom were not familiar with the art of caricature prior to the course. 

"In the first day of this exhibition, around 300 people visited the exhibition and praised it," said al-Dailami, adding that this was an indication that many people are interested in this type of drawing. 

Participants said that they really benefited form the course which helped them to develop their abilities. "This course helped me to improve my caricature skills. I hoped [to learn] to use computer programs and how to deal with pictures and colors," said Yahya al-Sayad, a participant. He said that he was taught how to manipulate the colors of pictures. 

Finished caricature projects of course participants were displayed in the exhibition.

"This course is a wonderful step to develop caricatures in Yemen. Playing with the colors of pictures with computer programs is still not done in Yemen," said Hameed al-Masuari, another participant. He urged all caricaturists to work towards establishing a society which could help them develop their abilities and market their work. 

"We were in need of such a course which could help us to learn many things about the technologies [used in caricature]," said Mohammed Murshed. He said that this course not only developed their caricature techniques but also allowed them to share experiences with other participants. 

People who attended the exhibition praised it. "Participants did wonderful caricatures; they are absolutely creative. I cannot describe their pictures," said Nedhal Qatenah. 

"What we saw was really remarkable. Each participant drew his pictures in his own wonderful way," said Yahya Abdu-Alwali. 

Artists who did not take part in this exhibition also praised it. "What I have seen in this exhibition has encouraged me to take such a course which aims to increase the number of creative artists who could in a way develop this country," said Walid al-Zabidi, artist.       

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