MUSCAT – A milestone-of-sorts was achieved when Iranian artist Mahnoush Abbasgholy attained the halfway mark in her attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records by trying to create a 40-metres (40mts x 120cms) artwork in seven days, painting 15 hours a day.
At 10 am today (January 18), Abbasgholy, who began on January 15, completed 50 hours of painting in her paint-athon, a marathon attempt to break a painting record of 100 hours.
Great response
The event has garnered a grand amount of response from artists and art lovers who kept popping in with their presence and encouragement, all of which boded well for the determined lady artist. For the end result is that she has made tremendous progress.
Amazing progress
“The progress is amazing! It is even better than I expected. I have never done a 40 metres painting before and so it is a brand-new experience for me,” Abbasgholy said yesterday from Al Bandar Lawn area of Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, which is witness to this marathon and colourful event.
“I still have three more days to go, but so far everything is going as planned and I hope to see it through to completion,” she enthused, not taking her eyes off her soon-to-be-masterpiece.
The paintings, although yet to be completed, and going under the theme, ‘Sparkles of Oman’, still seemed to have a life out of their own, almost leaping out of the canvases in their breathtaking colourful forms and mesmerizing the viewers.
Tough battle
But, it is a tough battle. And Abbasgholy does not shy away from explaining the challenges she has encountered so far, which includes aching eyes, back, shoulders and hands. Despite the discomfort and the sheer lack of sleep and proper rest, she is forging ahead determinedly. She explained that she had to now slow down on her painting as she has to fill in the details after the initial body of work. “There are still lots of details to be filled in,” she noted. But added: “Yet, it is all fine. I will have it done and ready for the auction in the next three days.”
Royal presence and auction on January 22
The closing ceremony, on January 22 at 5.30pm onwards, will be held under the patronage of Her Highness Dr Mona bint Fahad Al Said, assistant vice chancellor – external cooperation – Sultan Qaboos University and the chairperson of the non-governmental organisation, Children First Association and Sheikh Ahmed bin Suwaidan Al Balushi, chairman of Al Balushi Investments.
The highlight of the closing ceremony will be the bid to auction off this finished masterpiece of Abbasgholy, which is currently creating whirls of excitement in the art circles of Oman and also set to put the country on the world map. The painting will be auctioned off to benefit the Children First Association.
Support by Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah
This inspiring art-for-charity event is hosted at the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah. The resort along with Shangri-La Al Husn marks their 20 years of exceptional hospitality in the Sultanate of Oman.
Philippe Kronberg, the resort’s general manager, had earlier noted how thrilled they were to support this Guinness World Record attempt and also kick off their 20th anniversary celebrations “with an initiative that not only inspires but also gives back to the community”.
The event is being managed by Black & White Media.
Sponsors for the event include OQEP, Taageer Finance, Dr Marjan Cosmetic & Hygienic Manufacturing LLC and Shah Nagardas Manji Co.
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