Kuwaiti artists illuminate Failaka’s past in ‘Antiquities in Colors’ exhibition

In a captivating blend of history and creativity, visual artists in Kuwait have brought ancient artifacts from Failaka Island to life through vibrant paintings and ceramics.

The summer exhibition, “Kuwaiti Antiquities in Colors,” currently on display at the Museum of Modern Art, celebrates the country’s rich archaeological legacy with 38 carefully crafted works. The exhibition runs until the 27th of this month and also features interactive art and ceramic workshops for the public.

Sara Khalaf, the exhibition organizer, told KUNA that the event is a tribute to the Icarus Stone’s recent addition to UNESCO’s Memory of the World list, an honor officially granted on April 18th of this year. She emphasized that the exhibition aims to visually connect the public with Kuwait’s ancient past and promote cultural awareness through contemporary art, reports Al-Qabas daily.
At the heart of the exhibition is the Icarus Stone — a rare, inscribed artifact dating back to 2300 BC. Dr. Hassan Ashkanani, Professor of Archaeology and Anthropology at Kuwait University, described the stone as a globally significant relic. It is the only known piece of its kind, etched in ancient Greek and containing a 44-line message from a representative of the Seleucid Empire to the ruler of Icarus, the ancient name for Failaka Island.

“This is not just a historical document,” said Dr. Ashkanani, “but a rich political, economic, religious, and social account of life on the island. It speaks of agriculture, deer herding, temple construction, and even the holding of Olympic-style games that served as religious rites.”

Discovered in 1960 by a Danish archaeological team from Moesgaard University, the Icarus Stone was found within the ruins of a Hellenistic fortress on the island. It remains the first Kuwaiti artifact to be recognized by UNESCO and is now preserved at the Kuwait National Museum.

Dr. Ashkanani also praised the efforts of the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, which regularly organizes events to highlight Kuwait’s cultural heritage, with a special focus on the historically rich Failaka Island.