SUMMER EXHIBITION

6 JULY - 20 AUGUST 2026

𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀:

H.H Sayyidah Afra Al Said

Adnan Al Raisi

Juma Al Harthi

Anwar Sonya

Hassan AlMeer

Mohamed Mehdi

Late Moosa Omar

Idris Al Hooti

Hussain Obaid

Afsaneh Moslehi

Tarini Agarwal

Janin Walter

Since 2015, the Summer Exhibition has become a defining annual event at Stal Gallery in Muscat, presenting Omani artists alongside invited international guest artists. This year exhibition features works by nine Omani artists H.H. Sayyidah Afra Al Said, Adnan Al Raisi, Juma Al Harthi, Anwar Sonya, Hassan AlMeer, Mohamed Mehdi Jawad Al Lawati, the late Moosa Omar, Idris Al Hooti, and Hussain Obaid, alongside three international guest artists Afsaneh Moslehi, Tarini Agarwal, and Janin Walter.

Stal Gallery provides a platform for Omani and invited international artists, encouraging international dialogue and serving as a platform for cultural exchange. Through its continuity, each edition of the Summer Exhibition forms a living archive of artists, concepts, and artworks, reflecting new contemporary art perspectives on Oman.

Every visitor arrives at the exhibition with a different purpose, and each leaves with a different experience. For tourists, it is an opportunity to discover Omani landscapes, historic places, architecture, traditions, and everyday life not found in travel guides. For the local community, it is an insight into Oman's history and transformation, told through art. For artists, the Summer Exhibition is a professional meeting place where they exchange ideas and experiences, develop new concepts, and begin planning future exhibitions for the autumn season.The exhibition also becomes a valuable resource of information for researchers, students, educators, and school groups. During the summer break at educational institutions, Stal Gallery offers   educational guided tours that extend art learning beyond the classroom.

The tours introduce different artistic techniques and styles and deepen the understanding of the artistic processes, historical context, creative ideas, and stories behind each work.

Natural landscapes and cultural traditions of Oman form the central theme of this year's Summer Exhibition. Participating artists interpret this theme through different materials, techniques, and individual artistic approaches.

Anwar Sonya series of impressionism landscape paintingsis is inspired by Nakhal, Manah and Sur.  Sonya visited these places for a live session painting in sprin, 2026  to observe and study the landscape – its atmosphere, forms, and light – later developing these impressions into paintings. During his travels, Sonya also watched traditional Omani dances performed outdoors, adding another dimension to his experience of these landscapes.

Manah old fort, 2026

In paintings of Idris Al Hooti, Arabic calligraphy gives Old Mutrah a visual language. Calligraphy flows through the walls of houses carrying memories of the people who built them and lived in them. The color palette of artworks becomes part of this narrative: reds carry the heat of the Omani sun, while greys take to the past.

Old Mutrah series of paintings, 2015-2019

Calligraphy and lettering artist Mohamed Mehdi Jawad Al Lawati explores the expressive beauty of the written form in artwork “Peace 2”, where letterforms become a visual reflection on harmony and peace.

Peace 2

Afsaneh Moslehi transforms the desert into a living manuscript where Arabic calligraphy flows through the dunes and speaks to both its inhabitants and its visitors, carrying memories and stories.

the dune knows my name (diptych), Calligraphy, 2025

Juma Al Harthi explores the visual language of ancient inscriptions and symbols carved into the ceilings of Jabreen Castle and the historic doors of Nizwa, reimagining their forms through both painting and sculpture.

City view

Hassan AlMeer draws on memories and Omani legends in this figurative painting from 2003, which is presented at Stal Gallery for the first time.

Faces III, 2003 

H.H. Sayyidah Afra Al Said explores themes of identity, memory, and the evolving urban landscape, drawing inspiration from Omani traditions. Her three collage artworks are created from recycled materials. The first piece speaks to the rhythm of the land and sea - the harmony between people and their environment. The second collage, titled “Our Country”, is a layered tribute to Oman, its land, its people, and its evolving identity. The third collage, titled “Recycled Memories” speaks about memories from 2022.

Collage series of paintings

Adnan Al Raisi explores Omani identity through its round forms and local materials. His paintings incorporate elements of the traditional craft of palm frond weaving, locally known in Oman as Khos.

Palm frond weaving art and Moon

Artworks of artist Late Moosa Omar are created using sustainable jute material. These works explore Omani symbolism and reflect traditional Omani art materials reimagined in a contemporary context.

Jute art

Artworks of Hussain Obaid depicts  signs and ancient writings using deep emotional and historical specificity.

Ancient writings, 2022

Guest artist from German Janin Walter presents “Color codes of the ocean”, a series of paintings inspired by the changing colors of ocean, derived from oceanic depth zones as well as from fish and other marine organisms.

Codes of the ocean, series of paintings

Paintings by Tarini Agarwal are inspired by the landscapes that surround her, transforming their quiet beauty into contemplative spiritual compositions.

Landscapes 

The Summer Exhibition is on display at Stal Gallery in Madinat Qaboos from 6 July until 20 August, with free admission. Visitors can explore the exhibition independently or join guided art tours.

© Stal Gallery and Studio

Supported by: Alserkal Group

#omaniartist #arabartist #arabwomenartist #stalgallery