Sculpting a niche

Muscat Daily

17-07-2025

By MOHAMMED TAHA
Yousef bin Saif bin Salim al Rawahi, a sculptor from the Wilayat of Mudhaibi, in North Sharqiyah, tells the story of Oman – fashioned not only in stone and wood, but also in spirit and imagination.
Fuelled by his profound admiration for ancient Omani artefacts, Rawahi has established a name for himself through a body of work in sculpture that marries traditional motifs with contemporary artistry.
His latest sculpture, Atabat Al Bab (Doorstep), was recently presented as a gift to Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, during an official visit to the Sultanate.
The piece, which measures 40x40x14cm, draws inspiration from the architectural elements of old Omani homes. 'I wanted to highlight the doorstep,' Rawahi told Muscat Daily. 'It's not merely a physical entrance – it represents the hospitality, peace, and warmth found in every Omani home.'
(Atabat-Al-Bab-Doorstep-for-Sheikh-Dr-Sultan-bin-Muhammad-Al-Qasimi)
Crafted from a refined combination of marble and wood and inlaid with traditional geometric patterns, the sculpture reflects Al Rawahi's broader mission – to preserve and reinterpret Omani visual heritage for today's audience.
Rawahi's artistic path began in 1999 when he enrolled at Sultan Qaboos University to study art education. By the following year, his emerging talent was recognised when he secured second place in a national sculpture competition held as part of the Youth Workshop activities in Muscat.
From the outset, he was active in workshops and exhibitions, particularly under the auspices of the Omani Society for Fine Arts. While sculpture remained his primary focus, he also explored oil painting, watercolours, installation work, and graphic art.
Returning to sculpture
In 2013, Rawahi made a deliberate return to sculpture, his first artistic love. He soon gained recognition, beginning with his participation in the inaugural Arab Youth Sculpture Forum in Muscat in 2015. Since then, his works have been featured in exhibitions across Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Bahrain, and China. He is currently preparing to take part in the Algeria Symposium in 2025.
On the local front, he has regularly taken part in the International Sculptors Camp since its second edition. He also played a leading role in organising the Al Khadra International Symposium, which has hosted 39 international sculptors over its three editions.
Many of Rawahi's large-scale sculptures are on public display throughout the sultanate – in places such as Sultan Qaboos University, Wadi Al Jizi, Duqm City, the Sohar Fine Arts Museum, and Al Khadra.
Among his most notable works is a 3.5m high sculpture situated at Duqm International Airport, which he completed during the 2023 Duqm International Sculpture Forum, organised by Sohar Fine Arts.
Smaller works are typically housed in his personal studio or temporarily loaned out for exhibitions.
Despite his achievements, Rawahi acknowledges the challenges sculptors face in Oman. 'One of the biggest obstacles is the lack of sculpture-focused events. At present, there are only two youth-led initiatives – the Al Khadra International Symposium and the International Sculptors Camp,' he said.
He emphasised the importance of greater support from both, the public and private sectors, particularly in the acquisition of sculptural works. 'These pieces are of high artistic and cultural value – they deserve recognition and placement in public spaces,' he added.
Museum in the making
Looking ahead, Rawahi's vision is ambitious and clear. 'Sculpture demands passion, resilience, and the ability to express complex ideas through material form,' he said. 'My biggest dream is to see the Al Khadra Museum of Contemporary Sculpture come to fruition. The design has been fully completed, and I am hopeful that implementation will begin soon.'
Through his work, Rawahi continues to tell the story of Oman – inspired by its past, steeped in the present, and hopeful of a promising future.