An exhibition titled “Whirlwind,” exploring themes of chaos and conversation, opened this week at H1 Art Gallery in Muscat. The show features works by Omani artists Tariq al Hajri and Mohammed al Attar, also known as Mimoon Art, and runs for three weeks at the gallery located in the Jawharat Al Shatti Complex in Al Qurum.
The exhibition brings together diverse artistic media, combining photography and sculpture in an effort to merge contrasting forms into a cohesive experience. Bashair al Balushi, an artist and Artistic and Cultural Advisor at H1 Art Gallery, described the show’s concept as channeling the intense internal turmoil experienced by the artists and presenting it within the gallery’s calm and orderly environment. According to al Balushi, the title “Whirlwind” reflects this tension between chaos and controlled expression.
Tariq al Hajri, a 31-year-old conceptual visual artist, is exhibiting seven pieces that span film photography, mixed film and digital illustration, and standalone digital illustration. Al Hajri said this is his first time experimenting with mixed media. One notable work, “Awadem,” directly addresses the exhibition’s theme by visually representing the social pressures and internal conflicts surrounding the question “What will people say?” The piece uses multiple digitally illustrated self-portraits layered in a dreamlike composition to reflect the fragmented nature of external judgments, which, according to al Hajri, become blurred voices of the self.
Al Hajri emphasized that he intentionally refrained from including detailed descriptions alongside his works, encouraging visitors to engage directly and foster dialogue. “Conversation” was his stated goal, aiming for viewers to ask questions and reflect on the pieces in their own way.
Complementing al Hajri’s work, 34-year-old Mohammed al Attar’s installation “Where I Belong” invites contemplation about the concepts of home and belonging. The installation features five identical sculptures, each rendered in a different color to represent the diverse personal histories and psychological identities shaping individual experiences. Al Attar explained that although the sculptures are uniform in form, their different colors symbolize varied backgrounds and the internal construction of what it means to feel at home.
Al Attar highlighted the importance of multiple valid interpretations, viewing the varied responses to his work as a success that opens conversation and reflection among viewers.
The exhibition is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visitors can follow updates and artist profiles on Instagram at @tariqalhajri and @mimoon_art.