![]() ![]() The carving and formation of the palm wood product differ from those of the products of other types of wood. “The methods of working with palm wood are mostly similar to the methods of working on the other types of wood, but the palm wood needs more care due to the nature of its fibre formations and the possibility of product damage in the advanced stages if some steps were neglected or exceeded’’, he shared. Some craft products take one day and some need more effort and time that it takes him two weeks or a month to finish a project. Ghalib’s wild imagination has led him into creating the most intricate of accessories, the most detailed of window frames, the most elaborate of decors and even the simplest of benches and home furniture. Just like any art process, creating something out of palm trunks start with an idea. And don’t forget that the method of drying wood or dealing with it after the tree has been cut plays an effective role in the hardness and quality of wood’’, he said. “There are other factors besides age, which play a role in the quality of the product, like the place of cultivation, care and nutrition, the type of soil, the weather and availability of water directly affect the type of wood. ![]() He added, “For example, there are types of palms whose wood had been used in the construction of Omani castles and forts, and which were able to withstand very difficult environmental factors such as Al naghal, Al barshi, Al khasab and many more of them’’, Ghalib said. The most important is the type of palm from which the wood is extracted’’, he said. Although the types of palm trees are similar in terms of shape, the quality of their wood depends on many factors. If the palm tree is young, the quality is low. “The older the palm tree, the better the quality of the wood. The quality of the product recycled from the wood of the palm tree depends on the age of the stem. I have always adored the Omani environment and was inspired by the beauty around me and have its impact obvious on my works”, he shared. I learned and gained many experiences that had a good impact on developing myself. “Work-wise, I have lived in many parts of Oman during my career. Multi-skilled in arts and crafts, his mission is to help conserve Omani heritage through his art. While he may not have a fancy degree in art given by a university, he has great experience from the university of life which taught all he needs to be able to convert things into something awe-inspiring. With palm tree trunks as his medium, Ghalib combines his passion for art and his love for crafts. “According to my experience, it is possible to take advantage of the core of palm tree to produce products such as chairs, tables, bookholders, plant pots and many others’’, Ghalib said. His latest artworks involve tapping the core of the palm trees and using them into different pieces that can be displayed beautifully in homes, galleries and everywhere else that art is the centrepiece. Growing up in one of Oman’s villages with access to these trees, he has a connection with these palm trees that he considers them his dear friends - an important part of his childhood. ![]() One of the many people who can attest to its many uses is Omani artist Ghalib al Sawafi whose main medium for his work usually involves a portion of these prized trees. Everything about the different parts of a date plant can be utilised for different purposes making it a close competition to coconuts as a tree of life for its many different uses from roots to fruits. ![]() Dates are some of nature’s best gifts to Oman. ![]()
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