The presence of identity in the works of contemporary Omani artists, its symbols, artistic styles, and the difficulties of their inclusion

Abstract

Abstract

The current study aims to investigate the concept of identity in the works of contemporary Omani artists in terms of awareness of the concept of identity, the extent to which it is included in their artworks, the symbols, styles and artistic schools they use, and the difficulties that limit the inclusion of identity. The study sample consisted of (148) male and female Omani artists who were chosen randomly. In order to achieve the aims of the study; the researchers used the descriptive analytical research design methodology by designing a questionnaire that consisted of (43 items) distributed over four main clusters (awareness of the concepts of identity, inclusion of the Omani identity in artworks, identity symbols, styles and artistic techniques, and difficulties of including the identity's concept in artworks). The results of the study showed that the estimates of the artists’ responses to the level of identity awareness was judged as being (high) level with total mean average of (3.41). In contrast, the dimensions of identity symbols, styles and techniques used and the difficulties of including the identity's concept in artworks achieved a (medium) level score of inclusion with mean averages of (2.86) and (3.17), respectively. The results also showed, on the general level, that Omani artists use the approach of transformation and abstraction of identity symbols in their artworks, where this approach came in the first place. Finally, the results showed also that there were no statistically significant differences at the significance level (α ≤ 0.05) between the mean average of the study sample of contemporary Omani artists, due to the variables of gender, artistic field and years of artistic experience. The study reached a number of recommendations, the most important of which was the need to spread awareness and adhere to identity during the production of artworks, especially contemporary art in order to preserve the heritage and originality of Omani plastic arts, with the need to train artists in how to benefit from the elements of modern technology and contemporary art styles in line with the Omani culture according to origins and art principles in the field.