(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
Victor Bolorunduro
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The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: In a moving tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of hope, the world-renowned land artist Saype created a stunning fresco of a peace sign at the Old Doha port to commemorate the historic ceasefire deal in Gaza on the sidelines of the recently concluded Qatar Kite Festival 2025.
The stunning 3,600sqm piece by the French-Swiss artist whose temporary artworks have graced landscapes in cities such as New York, Paris, Venice, Geneva, Cape Town, Turin, Dubai, Istanbul, Miami, and Tokyo was one of the major highlights of the 10-day event, which was held across three locations-the Sealine dunes, the Sheraton Park and the Old Doha Port.
Saype working on the fresco at the Old Doha Port
“The fresco was a symbol of solidarity, healing, and optimism for the region's future,” Saype said in an exclusive interview with The Peninsula on the sidelines of the event.
“The art was about two hands flying an origami dove kite. And for me it was very interesting because I created this idea in my studio in Switzerland. You know, in the olden days, a kite was used as military stuff to send messages between the people. And the bird in the painting was a way of me illustrating the peace negotiation that put a halt to the sufferings of the Gazans. It was quite interesting that the painting was done around the time the peace deal was finalised,” he added.
Saype, who was recognised by Forbes magazine in 2019 as one of the 30 most influential individuals under 30 in the fields of art and culture, expressed his hope for a permanent peace in the region.
The artist, whose original name is Guillaume Legros, has become synonymous with ephemeral, large-scale artworks that integrate themes of humanity, solidarity, and the environment. Born in 1989 in France, Saype transitioned from graffiti and traditional painting to a unique form of biodegradable art that bridges the gap between nature and creativity.
Speaking about his earlier work at the Sealine, the 35-year-old painter, who started out as a nurse before venturing into the arts, noted that the two different artworks he did in Qatar were uniquely different in every sense of it.
“But the link between these two artworks will be to match this event with my artistic world. At the Sealine, I painted hands, which is creating an origami camel in the desert. In my mind, I was creating the desert experience with the art, something that resonates with the culture and tradition of the people, and I find it quite interesting and fascinating at the same time.”
Saype, who was visiting the country for the first time, added that he has always been fascinated with the culture and traditions of the region and that it was a pleasure for him to contribute to advancing the culture in his own little way.
“This is my very first time in Qatar. And I love it. I think the people are very kind. We see the difference of culture, but at the same time we feel comfortable and very safe. This is one of the best experiences of my career, and I feel like I have a home away from home here in Qatar,” Saype, whose work often carries a profound message of togetherness and hope, added.
The third edition of the annual event showcased kites of diverse sizes, shapes, and colours, crafted by 60 professional kite flyers from around the globe, alongside various stage performances.
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