THE POWER OF ENVIRONMENTAL ART

Peter had his first encounter with Duqm’s magical Rock Garden one month later. Instantly enchanted, he explored the site taking dozens of photographs. Upon returning to Muscat, he learned that the development’s approved master plan was to convert the site into a multi-lane highway and massive utility corridor. For Peter, it was clear that the decision-makers could not have been aware of the treasures in the Rock Garden. He immediately began to seek a way to protect this site—nine months of trying proved fruitless.

On March 25, 2009, just days before work on the corridor began, Peter submitted a 5-page proposal to the Ministry of National Economy to protect the Rock Garden. Notably, he included 1 page of 4 artistic photos. Later that day, he received a call from the awestruck official. “I have never seen anything like it,” he remarked. The Minister of National Economics and Finance signed the copies of the proposal to change and redraw the master plan. “The photos made all the difference,” Peter was told.

Over the next year, Peter became an avid photographer as he continued to explore Oman and advocate for the Rock Garden and Duqm in general. In October 2010, during an international tourism conference where Peter presented more images of the beautiful site, the Government formally declared it a Protected Area. The power of environmental photography was now undeniable.

Inspired by these successes, Peter wondered what else could be learned about Duqm if many diverse artists could explore it. Hence, from April 20-23, 2011, Peter and 30 other international and local artists set off to explore Duqm. It was titled “Duqm: Portraits of Discovery.” Three schoolchildren were given disposable cameras with the mission to show what Duqm means to them.

The prestigious Bait Muzna Gallery was opened on October 29, 2011, during the Duqm Portraits of Discovery exhibition accompanied by Under Secretaries from several Ministries, the Guest of Honor, Minister of Environment, spent the entire evening touring the Exhibition. The photos by the school children were a highlight. Moreover, in a rare move, the Gallery added ten days to the Exhibition at no charge.

Over the next two years, they have redone the Master Plan for the entire Duqm Development, making the Rock Graden protected. After an award-winning Canadian filmmaker joined Peter at Duqm, he switched to painting, exhibiting his works in Oman, UAE, and Los Angeles, California. 142