Muhanna Al-Durra
Today, we went to Lines Gallery (Jabal Amman, First Circle Area, right next to Wild Jordan Cafe) where they are currently holding a solo exhibition for one of my favorite Jordanian artists, Muhanna Al-Durra, a pioneer in the Jordanian art scene as he was the first to introduce cubist and abstract art locally.
What I really love I love about Durra’s artwork is the fact that I feel like it’s singing- a burst of music suspended in a moment. It’s really a wonderful experience to just look at them.
“I often fail to understand the critics’ writings when they explain my work while discussing its technique, composition, and emotions in a display of complicated terminology, when what counts for me is that simple visual impact is devoid of intellectual symbols but lending happiness to a wall, and although my paintings are candid confessions, they express nothing but themselves.”
- Mohanna Durra, 2006
Some of Muhanna Al-Durra’s work on display [click to enlarge]:
Lines is relatively very small and cozy, it’s also new. I really love it’s setting, in an old house in one of the oldest streets in town and they really played well with the authentic Ammanite feel of the place. The cast iron covering which were probably installed when the house was first built over the huge balconies and the windows are beautifully flaunted. There are citrus trees in the courtyard, and the back balcony overlooks the much-loved view of downtown Amman in the alley and Jbal Il Weibdeh and Al-Qal3a across .
The gallery’s aura of Levantine style works beautifully well with the works of an artist like Durra.
I am not sure how long the exhibition of Muhanna Durra’s work is going to be on display, but I would recommend that you give it a visit as soon as possible if you’re in town.
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