Wood engraving… Artists highlight the artistic heritage of the Kingdom in Al-Baha

Our fathers and grandfathers lived in the Al-Baha region in houses that had their own privacy and design, compatible with the nature of the region, whether in construction or the tools used. The visitor realizes the extent of the history and impact of those ancient buildings of artistic, aesthetic and professional value, and perhaps one of the most important ancient folk crafts that has disappeared. “Wood engraving”, whether by engraving, burning on wood, or coloring it, and their hands transformed the wood to bring it to life.
Given the importance of the profession, the Ministry of Culture, represented by the branch of the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts in Al-Baha region, launched a workshop to teach the basics of decoration of all kinds, as a number of female plastic artists wove the most beautiful works in the art of drawing traditional and Islamic decorations, through which they imposed their eye-catching presence.

Wood engraving

The director of the association, Ali Al-Baidhani, confirmed that the association, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, seeks to highlight its role in human civilization and preserve the historical artistic heritage that is about to disappear and disappear, in an attempt to restore the scent of history by establishing and hosting such as a basics of decoration workshop that aims to develop the skills of interested women and artists. And visual artists.
The calligrapher and visual artist, Abdulaziz Al Mujthal, explained that the workshop, which lasts 10 weeks to teach the basics of decoration in all its Islamic, geometric, floral and heritage types, and is held every Saturday in the cultural hall at the association’s headquarters in Al-Baha for two hours, with 20 male and female trainees of different ages participating, includes a theoretical and practical aspect.

Engraving and decoration skills

He pointed out that work is underway to hold an exhibition of the most important and prominent works presented during the workshop. He stated that the workshop is concerned with the interest of the trainees, especially the trainees, in learning the skills of wood engraving and decoration, which is considered an artistic painting and an aesthetic element that characterizes old houses in the region, and reflects the degree of artistic taste and creativity of parents and grandparents.
The course supervisor, Laila Al-Hamid, said: The course witnessed great interaction from the attendees and their keenness to learn and develop in the field of decoration, adding that what was focused on in the workshop was heritage decoration in all its forms, as the people of the region in ancient times sought to find a synthesis of the arts as a type of distinction. By choosing this profession, he decorated doors, windows and columns in old houses.

Traditional architecture

The trainee, Aydha Al-Zahrani, pointed out that the workshop contributed greatly to changing many concepts and work mechanisms in the field of decoration and engraving on wood, which began as an identity and turned into a craft with good economic returns.
He added that the traditional architecture of the Al-Baha region bears particularity in the decoration and engravings in the wooden accessories in that architecture, as the fathers and grandfathers in the region used to carve the wood skillfully and with a primitive movement to show that spiritual relationship between it and that museum work, to demonstrate the relationship of time to place and authenticity to history.

Handicrafts

Visual artist Badriya Al-Zahrani expressed her happiness in participating in the experience, saying: The workshop sparked enthusiasm towards reviving the profession and art of decoration, engraving on wood, etc., and providing the important and necessary knowledge in this field.
She pointed out that drawing decoration in all its forms is a handcraft that resists technology and the factors of time in light of the programs, workshops and forums held by the relevant authorities.
It is noteworthy that the decoration in the Al-Baha region is not limited to stones and clay walls only, but extends to include agricultural tools, for example, including some plowing tools. It also goes along with many artifacts, including silver jewelry, traditional clothes embroidered by tailors, cooking utensils such as pottery pots and some wooden plates, and even measures of grains. The sieve purifies grains from impurities during the harvest season, and is used in wicker crafts in ancient weapons, including wooden chairs and leather spoons.