Katara Cultural Village recently unveiled a profound tribute to the late Sudanese painter and calligraphy artist Osman Waqialla, celebrating his artistic legacy with an exceptional exhibition.
Inaugurated by Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, General Manager of Katara Village, the exhibition opened on Wednesday and features 82 pieces, also including 42 remarkable calligraphy works that highlight Waqialla’s signature Sudani Kufic script.
The exhibition also features three meticulously handwritten copies of the Quran, incorporated into the showcase with Waqialla’s daughter, Hana Osman Waqialla. The Qatar News Agency (QNA) reports that Katara will preserve these treasured manuscripts. Hana, attending the exhibition’s opening, further expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Katara for honouring her father’s legacy, marking her inaugural visit to the Gulf state.
Distinguished guests, including Ahmed Abdel-Rahman Al Dahab, the Sudanese ambassador to Qatar, attended the opening event. Ambassador Al Dahab also praised the exhibition’s significance in highlighting Waqialla’s contributions to Sudanese art, notably his pivotal role in founding Khartoum’s College of Fine and Applied Art. He commended Katara’s unwavering support for Sudanese arts and culture. Al Sulaiti echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Katara’s commitment to fostering cultural ties with the Sudanese embassy to promote Sudanese heritage within Qatar.
Osman Waqialla, who passed away at 81 in 2007, humbly described himself as a “simple calligrapher.” Despite his modest self-description, Waqialla distinguished his career with notable achievements, including designing the Sudanese currency after independence in 1956 and also establishing Khartoum’s first art studio, Osman Studio, in 1954. This studio became a vibrant hub for the city’s artists, poets, musicians, and intellectuals.
Born in Rufa’a, Sudan, in 1925, Waqialla’s educational journey included graduating from the Gordon Memorial College and the School of Design in Khartoum. He furthered his studies at London’s Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts and also trained under the esteemed calligrapher Sayyid Muhammed Ibrahim in Cairo. Waqialla’s works have been exhibited internationally, significantly contributing to the modern art movement in Sudan.
Katara Cultural Village, Qatar’s premier cultural project, remains dedicated to fostering global cultural exchange and artistic excellence. With its state-of-the-art facilities and diverse cultural programming, Katara further stands as a beacon of multiculturalism, bringing together people from around the world to experience and celebrate the richness of global cultures.
