Not a day goes by without Obaid Suroor picking up his paintbrush. The 60-year-old Emirati artist, a retired art education counsellor at the Ministry of Education, now spends most of his time doing what he loves.
Born and raised in Ras Al Khaimah, Suroor has had a passion for art for as long as he can remember.
“I was a talented kid at school, who always finished his drawings by the end of the drawing class. Unlike the other kids, I never left my drawings unfinished. I stood out in class because my drawings always had that extra element. I loved to focus and always felt a certain harmony between myself and the drawing,” he says.
The UAE in Venice
Suroor is one of 15 artists exhibiting in the UAE's National Pavilion at the 56th edition of the Venice Biennale, and has four paintings on show, including the striking image, Turathona Al Mi'mary, where the sky is depicted as a swath of red polka dots. The theme of the show, curated and directed by Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, founder of the Sharjah Art Foundation, is UAE art dating back to the 1980s.
There were a lot of artists working during this time, but Suroor describes it as a difficult period.
“Art was misunderstood then and looked at as a useless pursuit,” he says. “Parents at school did not appreciate the subject of art and sometimes even forbade their kids from participating or even drawing in class. Thank God we are over this phase and Emirati artists are now respected and their work is showcased worldwide.” Regarding the National Pavilion UAE, which opened in May, he says: “I thank God and all those who were in charge of bringing this exhibition together.
“I was very happy to be part of such an event, as it took me back to my schooldays, where all artists competed by showing their best artworks. Representing my country is very important for me and it is overwhelming to see our artwork showcased so beautifully in a western country.”
Labour of love
Most days, Suroor prefers to work in his studio in the Emirates Fine Arts Society’s Atelier in Ras Al Khaimah, but sometimes paints at home. His passion for art has led to a long and fruitful career: he has participated in many regional art events over the years, including the Cairo and Sharjah biennials, and continues to oversee the shows held at the Atelier, while also managing its artists and studios.
Suroor’s works almost always depict houses or details of traditional buildings.
The latter, says Suroor, particularly inspire him, because they date from an era that is fast disappearing in the face of rapid modernisation. "Architectural heritage is my passion. Whether it's a window or a door, I love to revive old heritage and traditional elements through my drawings," he says, adding that he also finds inspiration in his dreams, the people he meets and nature. One of his favourite places to look for inspiration is the sky. "An artist's imagination has no limits – just like the sky," he says. "The sky is in constant change. It does not have one look. It transforms depending on time, light and climate. You can see it as a clear blue sky with few clouds in one drawing and as polka dots in another, such as Turathona Al Mi'mary. How I portray it also depends on my mood."
• 1980 – Today: Exhibitions in the United Arab Emirates will run as part of the 56th Venice Biennale until November 22
ealdhaheri@thenational.ae
