While most of us grew up in an environment where the resources and nature could be used and appreciated, many are not as fortunate.
Hussein Salim is one of the less fortunate people who had to survive in an environment where the vegetation was sparse, in fact, almost non-existent.
Salim was born and bred in Sudan where he had to learn about greenery and listen to stories about the beauty of nature because he was not exposed to it.
As a South African I cannot imagine a life without beautiful butterflies, lush green fields and flower-filled gardens, but if the environment continues to degrade as rapidly as it is, maybe the next generation will have to live in that kind of barreness.
To help prevent that from happening, Salim and 15 other artists are creating awareness on climate change and global warming in an artistic way.
He will be exhibiting at the Elizabeth Gordon Gallery from Wednesday to coincide with the 17th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP17), which starts today.
The exhibition, titled Durban – City for all Seasons, captures the essence of Durban through the themes of climate change and green awareness.
Salim said growing up in a desert where vegetation was alien and having to live in a dry environment inspired his paintings because he had lived life without anything green.
One of his works includes an abstract oil painting titled My City, which uses his distinctive style to portray various symbols and scenes of Durban.
“Some of us were not lucky to grow up surrounded by trees and greenery. I started learning about it when I was in first grade. It taught me more about the importance of nature and that we need to preserve and protect planet earth,” Salim said.
When we visited the gallery, I found Salim’s abstract oil painting not alluring to the eye, but it did arouse curiosity and made me question his intentions.
From what is pictured in this painting – a very “messy”, extraordinary, chaotic painting – I would never wish to live in such an environment.
Explaining the story behind his work of art, Salim said it illustrated the planet in a near future, after suffering from climate change, where it will not be attractive as it is now.
Mission accomplished!
This “ugly” image turned out to be a very meaningful, sensitive and challenging piece.
He further said: “I don’t want the world to experience and live what I have lived as a kid. No one should go through what we went through in Sudan.”
Looking at these paintings done by artists from all over the world – it is clear to me that art is a universal language through which stories of reality can be conveyed.
Joy Reynolds of the Elizabeth Gordon Gallery said the artists started work on their paintings a month ago in preparation for the conference.
She said the exhibition would be opened on Wednesday at 6pm by the CEO of Thompson’s Africa, Linda Pampaliss.
“People are very receptive to paintings of their surroundings. We wanted to bring in the topic of climate change and green awareness,” Reynolds said.
Although the conference runs for two weeks, the Elizabeth Gordon’s Gallery will run the exhibition until Christmas in order to give the artists more exposure.
Other artists exhibiting their works include Andy Roberts, Bruce Backhouse, Hugh Mbayiwa, Jan Coetzee, Lindy Acton, Nomsa Ngidi, Sue Martin, Wheildon, Barbara Siedle, Ezequeil Mabote, John Smith, Nicole Pletts, Scott Bredin, Robert Domijan and Wim Rautenbach.
lFor more information on the Elizabeth Gordon Gallery exhibition call Joy Reynolds at 082 210 0641.