Marjan Habibian, Iranian mountaineer and artist, pays tribute to late Reinhard Seigl – an Austrian mountaineer and pioneer of mountain tourism in Oman who has marked numerous treks along the length and breadth of Oman, conducted tourism feasibility studies of key caves, besides installation of the first ‘via ferrata’ (climbing path) in the Grand Canyon of Oman – in a unique exhibition that opens tomorrow (January 20) at Stal Gallery. In a free-wheeling chat with Hubert Vaz, Marjan shares the essence and extent of Seigl’s efforts in the Sultanate, before his sudden death in March 2025
This exhibition is a tribute to the life and pioneering work in Oman of your husband Reinhard Seigl. Has he done similar work in Austria or elsewhere which gave him a sound footing in the sultanate?
Reinhard had a deep connection with nature from early childhood. Respect for and care of the natural environment were an integral part of his character. At the age of 13 or 14, he began rock climbing in the Weiz region of Austria, where he grew up. In 2017, he also carried out a similar project in Egypt. His lifelong commitment to nature formed a solid foundation for his pioneering role in the development of mountain tourism and trekking routes in Oman.
Have you been on his trekking expeditions in Oman and have you also gained creative inspiration for your work?
I assisted him in the project of trail marking maintenance and renewal. During the COVID period, this work became much more intensive. Due to the requirements of the Ministry of Tourism, after the people working for Reinhard completed their tasks, the markings had to be repainted with absolute precision. Reinhard and I worked together intensively for weeks, and many nights we slept in the mountains due to extreme exhaustion. These experiences had a profound impact on my artistic perspective and deepened my understanding of nature, endurance, and human responsibility toward the environment.
As an artist what is your favourite genre of work and are the works in this exhibition on line with it, or different?
I am a mountaineer myself and have a deep connection to nature and animals. This shared passion was one of the main bonds between Reinhard and me. He respected nature, humans, animals, and historical heritage and actively worked to protect them.
My artistic interests mainly focus on cultures and people, especially in the countries where I have lived. I often use specific cultural elements of each place in my work. Humans, especially those close to me and animals, are a constant presence in my art. Social and global issues have always been part of my artistic outlook. The works in this exhibition are fully aligned with my artistic and conceptual path.
What is it about Oman’s outdoors that inspires you the most?
The mountains, the oryx, and the warm, hospitable culture of the people especially in rural areas are the greatest sources of inspiration for me.
How many works will be on display at this exhibition and have they been categorised?
In total, 54 works will be presented, along with one installation and two videos. There will be 19 paintings, 16 drawings and prints by myself, and 19 works consisting of Reinhard’s paintings and photographs. The exhibition is structured into several series. One of them is a 12-part series painted by me directly on Reinhard’s original main trail signboards.
Another series, titled ‘Death’, relates to the period after Reinhard’s passing and reflects the impact of loss. Two works from this series were created earlier and are based on radiology images combined with gold leaf.
There are also two older paintings on canvas: The first one is from 2012, the first year we got married and started living together. I was fascinated by the work Reinhard did with Google Maps and painted an image of him while working. The second painting relates to the COVID period when Reinhard was working on his project in Oman. I had come to stay for two months before returning with him to Austria. At that time, I went on a two-week trip to Iran, and all borders were closed; I could not return to Oman to be with Reinhard for a year. This painting reflects the challenges of the COVID period and my feeling of being separated from Reinhard.
Another group includes drawings from different periods of my life, including works inspired by our beloved rooster ‘Majid’ (named after my brother in Iran), and one painting showing Reinhard lovingly holding Majid in his arms.
The installation consists of Reinhard’s working tools and personal items used during trail marking, along with an original old signboard. The video section includes a short film from 2021 documenting trail inspections with Omani friends and Reinhard speaking about nature conservation, as well as an older documentary from Austrian television in German about Oman and Reinhard’s activities.
Have you tried doing any painting on location during a trek?
I do drawings in nature and occasionally paint on location, but my main focus is studio work. Most of Reinhard’s paintings, however, were created directly from nature and inspired by Omani landscapes.
What message do you wish to convey through this exhibition?
I usually do not intend to deliver a direct message. I transform my emotions, perceptions, and experiences into material and form, allowing the audience to engage with the work based on their own awareness and personal experience.
In this project, Reinhard’s perspective on nature conservation and his deep love for Oman form the core. Beyond presenting his activities, the exhibition points to a way of life that recognises the necessity of caring for the world’s natural and cultural treasures.
Is there anyone who is continuing the work undertaken by Reinhard, which might be incomplete?
There was a project that Reinhard had largely prepared, but due to COVID and other difficulties, it remained at the design stage and was submitted to the Ministry of Tourism. I have heard that others are currently implementing parts of it. He also trained young Omanis in trekking path development in cooperation with the Oman Youth Organisation, and they are probably continuing his work.
He also contributed to the book – Mountains of Oman – published in 2020, and to Trekking in Oman: Trekking Guide with Maps, printed by Explorer Publishing in Dubai in 2005. He always dreamed of creating an independent book and had collected extensive material and photographs for it, but unfortunately this was never realised.
Do you plan to document his efforts in any way, as a film etc?
At the moment, I have no concrete plans. After losing Reinhard, I struggled with severe depression for months. Being able to complete this project at all is, in itself, a major achievement for me.
Is there any important advice he has given you in the past, which might have become your mission in life?
Reinhard was not someone who gave advice verbally, he taught through action. He helped everyone without exception even those who had wronged him humans, animals, and historical objects alike. If someone needed help in the middle of the night, he would immediately be there. Unfortunately, he took far less care of himself. Constant pressure, lack of sleep, and limitless self-sacrifice ultimately cost him his life. His way of living remains a profound example of compassion, responsibility, and the heavy price of boundless dedication.
Silent markings
Reinhard Seigl in Oman
This exhibition is both a personal elegy and a cultural document. It brings the work of Marjan Habibian into dialogue with the life and legacy of her late husband, Reinhard Siegl, a pioneer in Omani mountain tourism who, for over 28 years, charted hundreds of kilometres of trekking trails and created the country’s first via ferrata. His work was driven not by duty, but by an enduring affection for the land. Habibian responds to this legacy through drawings, paintings, and installation. Some works are created directly on copies of Siegl’s original signboard designs, merging Omani symbols with her own visual language. Others, painted on radiographic film, explore the fragile threshold between life and death.
