ShareKUWAIT: The Contemporary Art Platform (CAP) collaborated with the Embassy of Canada to present the Keep it Fresh: “Fresh & Nostalgia” Solo Exhibition, showcasing the artistic creations of Reza Doust, a talented Iranian Canadian artist. The Ambassador of Canada to Kuwait Aliya Mawani showed her support to culture-based events, saying: “I believe culture serves as a very important bridge that binds people together. Amidst political discourse, it’s also essential to delve into the personal level to truly grasp each other’s sentiments, fostering deeper understanding, therefore, I’m happy to attend this exhibition, as Reza Doust embodies the essence of Canada.
Reza Doust is an Iranian Canadian and he is a perfect example of Canada being a country that is built on immigration and built on diversity. We are full of layers, we are not one thing or the other, we are a combination of different identities and backgrounds, and so Reza, being an Iranian Canadian, is a perfect example of ways of being, and that I think is very Canadian. The exhibition’s theme of presentness and vitality resonates beautifully.
We strive to support exhibitions by Canadian artists as we consider their thematic relevance. I think that relationships between countries thrive on human connections. Canadians often perceive Kuwait through personal encounters with Kuwaiti individuals, just as Kuwaitis form positive impressions of Canadians through similar interactions. In the end, our goal is to unite people and spotlight the talents and perspectives of both Canadians and Kuwaitis.
On his part, Reza Doust, a full-time artist elaborated: “In my recent works, I explore subjects such as daily life, historical narratives, and, occasionally, my own experiences. To convey my spontaneous feelings about the repetitive nature of life and for those constrained by it in their quest for daily sustenance, time, culture, and history, I sought a large canvas to capture that overwhelming voice more realistically—it’s almost deafening. My thoughts dwell on routine, tradition, modernity, existence, love, justice, and the essence of life itself.”
The exhibition is curated by Maryam Nia, an artist, graphic designer, and yogini whose creativity comes alive at the vibrant intersection of culture, medium, and spirit. In Keep it Fresh: “Nature & Nostalgia”, Maryam stewards her unique cross-cultural consciousness to curate new work by Reza Doust. As a collaboration between two culturally hybrid creatives with global identities, this exhibition serves as an expansion of both artists’ lifelong exploration of the tender fruit that is borne from the soulful alchemy of diverse worlds.
