What makes a historic place meaningful? It may be the buildings that shape its streets, the memories held within them, or the sense of recognition that comes from seeing a familiar place through someone else’s eyes.
These ideas run through Muttrahiyyat, an exhibition of 41 paintings by Omani artists Idris al hooti, Juma al Harthi and Adnan al Raisi. Stal Gallery’s latest exhibition, which opened on Sunday, 18 October, explores Muttrah through architecture, memory and artistic expression.
A historic port and centre of commerce, Muttrah connected Oman’s coast with the interior and with wider maritime routes. Its harbour and urban landscape bear traces of movement and exchange. The area has also long drawn Omani painters, who have returned to its streets and buildings to interpret a place that continues to change.
For Idris al hooti, a prominent representative of Omani Cubism, Muttrah holds personal significance. He spent his childhood in Muttrah, and memories of its neighbourhoods and distinctive architecture inform his work. He uses geometry and architectural forms to reinterpret the area’s built environment.
The exhibition marks the first presentation of his painting Muttrahiyyat III (2026). Other works include architectural scenes of Muttrah’s neighbourhoods, with arched walls and floral motifs, as well as paintings from his Flower, Gates and Portrait of Omani Woman series.
Adnan al Raisi approaches Muttrah through colour and abstraction. A prominent Omani Pointillist, he combines contemporary techniques with local materials in works that reflect the landscape and its cultural roots. His seascapes explore balances and contrasts, such as night and day, stillness and motion, and dawn and dusk. Ochres, deep blues and earthy tones echo the Omani environment.
Works such as Muttrah Fort, The Sale of Glory and The Tale of a Door also bring the area’s heritage into view, drawing on its traditional doors and maritime history. For Al Raisi, abstraction is “not an escape from reality, but rather a method that stimulates creativity and deepens visual perception”.
Juma al Harthi, a master of Omani wood carving tradition, brings another perspective, informed by his experience in wood carving and engraving. His paintings focus on the architectural details and craft traditions of Old Muttrah, including the patterns of wooden doors and windows, inscriptions and the changing textures of old walls. His 2026 series includes Omani Doors, Omani Windows and Omani Windows on Walls.
“I am inspired by the traditional doors, windows, walls and balconies of Old Muttrah, translating their architectural details and character into my work through wood, canvas and engraving,” he says.
Together, the artists offer distinct ways of seeing the same place. Their work may prompt residents to recall familiar streets or notice how the city has changed. For visitors encountering Muttrah for the first time, the paintings offer an introduction to its architectural character and craft traditions.
Stal Gallery also offers guided art tours for educational institutions, led by manager Volodymyra Sobolevska. Students can bring art materials and make drawings inspired by the exhibition.
“By presenting Muttrahiyyat, Stal Gallery connects the visual arts with education, cultural heritage and tourism,” Sobolevska says. She adds that the exhibition encourages appreciation and respect for heritage, along with a greater willingness to learn about it and support its preservation.
Muttrahiyyat opens at Stal Gallery, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, on Sunday, 18 October 2026, at 7:00 pm and will be on display untill 4 November 2026.
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