By Hada Sarhan
AMMAN
‘Winning the prize cannot be personified; it is a victory for all local artists,’ Jaloos told the Jordan Times
The Artist, who studied painting at Jordan Institute for Fine Arts between 1979-81, added that the significance of the prize was receiving recognition from such a notable institution.
‘The prize has given me more confidence and motivated me to work harder in order to be worthy of the honour and the responsibility the award bestowed on me,’ said Jaloos adding it was also an incentive for others to work harder.
The artist called on private institutions to support local artists. ‘To receive first prize among 30 countries, which took part in the contest indicates that the local art movement is pushing ahead.’
The second and third prizes went to Sudan and Malaysia respectively. Jaloos, who has participated in a large number of local and international group exhibitions, believes that travelling expanded his creative interaction with the world, and gave him an artistic background that enriched his visual and habitual experiences. It also gave him a clear view of the art movements from a universal perspective. ‘Someone who travels a lot knows a lot,’ said the artist.
Since his first exhibition in the early 1980s until now, Jaloos has shared experiences with many artists at various stages. ‘I do not worship the experience, I love it, which makes me able to turn my back on each piece and look for the next one,’ said Jaloos, who holds a BA in business administration from the University. of Jordan
Born in Amman in 1960, in Al Wihdat Palestinian refugee camp to a family of eight brothers and sisters, Jaloos started painting at the age of eight. He published a collection of short stories in 1984 entitled ‘Memory of Side Street’ about his childhood.