But, ‘Between the Seas’—an exhibition of modern abstract paintings by the country’s foremost artists at the India Habitat Centre—hopes to bring the nation into the spotlight apart from challenging narrow misconceptions about it.

The exhibition comprises 50 recently composed and intensely colourful abstract paintings by Radhika Hamlai, Anwar Sonya, Antje Manser and Hassan Meer.

The starkly contrasting primary colours and chunky forms of Hassan Meer seem to diverge dramatically from the earthy brown, and striking azure, pink and green, painted on to the canvas using dot and line techniques in Anwar Sonya’s works.

Radhika Hamlai, who grew up in Ahmedabad and moved to Oman after her marriage 12 years ago, says, “The exposure that Omani artists get is limited to the Gulf region.”

Hamlai, who initially was into marketing, says “I organised a small exhibition in Ahmedabad five years ago; another in Berlin. This is the third exhibition on Omani artwork held outside Iran, and first in Delhi.”

Her 60-year-old mentor, Anwar Sonya, also one of the founders of realistic Omani art, sits dressed in his traditional Omani costume and recounts his days studying in Bahrain and the history of the small art movement the country that emerged in Muscat in the 1970s.

Says Sonya: “During the 1970s till just recently, the emphasis was on nature, the landscape, figurative art and use of very strong colours such as yellows and greens. But, now there has been a shift towards abstract art and more European colour schemes.”

Hamlai says there has been a major shift in the audience who turn up for art exhibitions in Oman. “Three years back, only the wealthy or those who knew the artist would visit. Now, anyone and everybody comes to view and appreciate art,” says Hamlai.

The shift has come primarily due to increased funding of galleries provided by the monarchy, Hamlai says.

Hamlai says her art was originally ‘very Indian’ and ‘figurative’. She says she was inspired by the works of Mark Rothko and the natural beauty of the Omani landscape and decided to move toward abstract art.

“Oman is very bright and green. There is the blue sea, the brown mountains. People also wear colourful clothing. I do not think that you could find such a vivid contrast of colour anywhere else,” she says.

Hamlai says there are many cultural similarities and connections between the two countries.

“Oman is like India. It has a a large Indian community and the only thing that separates the two countries is the sea.”