Autumn 2010
October 2010
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November 2010
residua
Maraya Art Centre
Al Qasba - Sharjah
22 October
Maraya Art Centre
Al Qasba - Sharjah
22 October
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SHARJAH. The Barjeel Art Foundation launched its second exhibition on October 22 at the Maraya Art Centre, situated at the Al Qasba cultural centre in Sharjah.
"residua", featuring art by established and emerging artists from the Middle East and North Africa, all drawn from Sheikh Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi's personal collection of more than 450 pieces is open for public viewing at Barjeel's 475-square-metre space on the second floor of the Maraya Art Centre.
Barjeel's founding mission is to extend the privilege of viewing and appreciating eminent pieces of Arab art to the community at large. residua is the second of the foundation's planned rotating public exhibitions which strive to represent different themes of political, social and cultural importance for the Arab world.
Visitors included Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Minister for Foreign Trade, Consul General of Switzerland HE Jost Schmid, Dr. Farhad Farjam, founder of the Farjam Collection, Public Affairs Officer for the US Consulate Hyun Bo Sim, Isabelle de La Bruyere, director of Christie’s Middle East, Marwan Al Sarkal Chief Executive Officer of Al Qasba Development Authority, Manal Ataya director of Sharjah Museums and Mona Al Gurg, director of retail at Al Grug Group.
"The main focus of our foundation is to create a platform for critical dialogue and informed appreciation for contemporary Arab art," says Sheikh Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi, founder of the Barjeel Foundation.
On display are paintings, photographs and sculptures of artists of from the Gulf region, Levant, Maghreb, Egypt, Iran and Iraq.
"In residua, we examine how Arab cultures are in a constant state of transformation. The pieces we have selected illustrate the ways in which bonds between language, politics, geography and public memory are continually loosened, reformed and strengthened."
The exhibition includes works of contemporary Arab artists, including Egypt's Ghada Amer and Youssef Nabil, Tagreed Darghouth, Fathi Afifi, Jeffar Khaldi and many more.
"Art of the Arab world is as nuanced as the nations that comprise this historically, politically, socially and geographically diverse region. It's very exciting to see the works exhibited in one interactive and accessible space," says Sheikh Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi.
In addition to featuring artwork at its public exhibition space, the Barjeel Art Foundation also offers its Arab art collection to cultural or educational institutions as part of short-term exhibitions in the Middle East and abroad. The foundation will feature artworks in upcoming exhibitions in Stuttgart, Berlin, Miami and Abu Dhabi.
The Barjeel collection responds to numerous complexities of Arab culture, politics, society, injustice and nostalgia. The pieces are poignant, giving a voice to the artists' experiences in the region and abroad. They shed light on the ever-changing nature of Arab identity and its relevance in contemporary culture. Taken together, the works of art define the ways a distinct Arab identity is shaped and reformed within shifting social, cultural and political contexts.
"residua", featuring art by established and emerging artists from the Middle East and North Africa, all drawn from Sheikh Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi's personal collection of more than 450 pieces is open for public viewing at Barjeel's 475-square-metre space on the second floor of the Maraya Art Centre.
Barjeel's founding mission is to extend the privilege of viewing and appreciating eminent pieces of Arab art to the community at large. residua is the second of the foundation's planned rotating public exhibitions which strive to represent different themes of political, social and cultural importance for the Arab world.
Visitors included Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Minister for Foreign Trade, Consul General of Switzerland HE Jost Schmid, Dr. Farhad Farjam, founder of the Farjam Collection, Public Affairs Officer for the US Consulate Hyun Bo Sim, Isabelle de La Bruyere, director of Christie’s Middle East, Marwan Al Sarkal Chief Executive Officer of Al Qasba Development Authority, Manal Ataya director of Sharjah Museums and Mona Al Gurg, director of retail at Al Grug Group.
"The main focus of our foundation is to create a platform for critical dialogue and informed appreciation for contemporary Arab art," says Sheikh Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi, founder of the Barjeel Foundation.
On display are paintings, photographs and sculptures of artists of from the Gulf region, Levant, Maghreb, Egypt, Iran and Iraq.
"In residua, we examine how Arab cultures are in a constant state of transformation. The pieces we have selected illustrate the ways in which bonds between language, politics, geography and public memory are continually loosened, reformed and strengthened."
The exhibition includes works of contemporary Arab artists, including Egypt's Ghada Amer and Youssef Nabil, Tagreed Darghouth, Fathi Afifi, Jeffar Khaldi and many more.
"Art of the Arab world is as nuanced as the nations that comprise this historically, politically, socially and geographically diverse region. It's very exciting to see the works exhibited in one interactive and accessible space," says Sheikh Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi.
In addition to featuring artwork at its public exhibition space, the Barjeel Art Foundation also offers its Arab art collection to cultural or educational institutions as part of short-term exhibitions in the Middle East and abroad. The foundation will feature artworks in upcoming exhibitions in Stuttgart, Berlin, Miami and Abu Dhabi.
The Barjeel collection responds to numerous complexities of Arab culture, politics, society, injustice and nostalgia. The pieces are poignant, giving a voice to the artists' experiences in the region and abroad. They shed light on the ever-changing nature of Arab identity and its relevance in contemporary culture. Taken together, the works of art define the ways a distinct Arab identity is shaped and reformed within shifting social, cultural and political contexts.
About Barjeel Foundation
Dazzling and heart wrenching pieces from the Levant, which encompasses Lebanon, the Palestinian Territories, Syria and Jordan, will be featured alongside arresting artwork from the southern Mediterranean nations of the Maghreb, such as Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. The blossoming art scene of Gulf Arab countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are also represented together with works that underpin turbulence and perseverance in Iraq and the rich art heritage of modern Iran and Egypt, three historically prosperous nations with celebrated art communities.
Many of the works highlight the value of heritage, family, structure and history and how it is translated in the context of globalisation. Others examine life in the Diaspora, the desire to create an identity or recapture a history that has become lost or scattered. The collection also features Islamic artwork that touches on the pulse of the Arab world’s most-prominent religious community.
The Barjeel Art Foundation understands that art is an important part of each nation’s identity and strives to provide a glimpse into the creative soul of Arab countries. In addition to promoting unprecedented accessibility the collection, Barjeel aims to enhance understanding and appreciation for the arts, while becoming a meeting ground for critical dialogue about Arab art of the past, present and future.
The pieces in the Barjeel collection are poignant, giving a voice to the artists' experiences in the region and abroad. They shed light on the ever-changing nature of Arab identity and its relevance in contemporary culture. Taken together, the works of art define the ways a distinct Arab identity is shaped and reformed within shifting social, cultural and political contexts.
Part of Sultan Sooud al-Qassemi’s vision is to bring young people to the space, as well as make this Arab art collection available to other cultural or educational institutions as part of short-term exhibitions in the UAE and abroad. The Barjeel, or wind tower, is a structure that enables the circulation of air; the foundation hopes to create a space where art, an essential part of our cultural existence, can breathe and be embraced.
Some pieces examine the injustices of occupation; others showcase the triumphant changes of revolution and the importance of community bonds. Some evoke a sense of nostalgia and pride, others defeat and desolation. Many reveal cold reminders of political turmoil and personal hardship, and various others the whimsical and lyrical interpretations of imagination and escapism.
Some of the works experiment with the aesthetic possibilities of colour, form and structure, and depict how they can compose melodies on canvas. Many portray the ephemeral nature of time and the people that occupy it, while others show how some elements can remain unfazed by time, space and degradation.
Among the acclaimed artists represented in the collection are Louay Kayyali, Fateh Moudarres and Sabhan Adam of Syria; Nja Mahdaoui and Halim Karabibene of Tunisia; Abdul Qader Al Rais, Hassan and Hussein Sharif, and Fatma Lootah of the UAE; Ismael Fattah of Iraq and Dia Azzawi of Iraq; Ali Omar Ermes of Libya; Abdullah Al Muharraqi of Bahrain; Omar Al Nagdi, Adel El Siwi, Adam Henein and Susan Hefuna of Egypt; Mansour Sleiman and Jeffar Khaldi of Palestine; and Sami Mohammed of Kuwait.
“ the works of art define the ways a distinct Arab identity is shaped and reformed...”
Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi
Founder
Mandy Merzaban
Gallery Manager
Dazzling and heart wrenching pieces from the Levant, which encompasses Lebanon, the Palestinian Territories, Syria and Jordan, will be featured alongside arresting artwork from the southern Mediterranean nations of the Maghreb, such as Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. The blossoming art scene of Gulf Arab countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are also represented together with works that underpin turbulence and perseverance in Iraq and the rich art heritage of modern Iran and Egypt, three historically prosperous nations with celebrated art communities.
Many of the works highlight the value of heritage, family, structure and history and how it is translated in the context of globalisation. Others examine life in the Diaspora, the desire to create an identity or recapture a history that has become lost or scattered. The collection also features Islamic artwork that touches on the pulse of the Arab world’s most-prominent religious community.
The Barjeel Art Foundation understands that art is an important part of each nation’s identity and strives to provide a glimpse into the creative soul of Arab countries. In addition to promoting unprecedented accessibility the collection, Barjeel aims to enhance understanding and appreciation for the arts, while becoming a meeting ground for critical dialogue about Arab art of the past, present and future.
The pieces in the Barjeel collection are poignant, giving a voice to the artists' experiences in the region and abroad. They shed light on the ever-changing nature of Arab identity and its relevance in contemporary culture. Taken together, the works of art define the ways a distinct Arab identity is shaped and reformed within shifting social, cultural and political contexts.
Part of Sultan Sooud al-Qassemi’s vision is to bring young people to the space, as well as make this Arab art collection available to other cultural or educational institutions as part of short-term exhibitions in the UAE and abroad. The Barjeel, or wind tower, is a structure that enables the circulation of air; the foundation hopes to create a space where art, an essential part of our cultural existence, can breathe and be embraced.
Some pieces examine the injustices of occupation; others showcase the triumphant changes of revolution and the importance of community bonds. Some evoke a sense of nostalgia and pride, others defeat and desolation. Many reveal cold reminders of political turmoil and personal hardship, and various others the whimsical and lyrical interpretations of imagination and escapism.
Some of the works experiment with the aesthetic possibilities of colour, form and structure, and depict how they can compose melodies on canvas. Many portray the ephemeral nature of time and the people that occupy it, while others show how some elements can remain unfazed by time, space and degradation.
Among the acclaimed artists represented in the collection are Louay Kayyali, Fateh Moudarres and Sabhan Adam of Syria; Nja Mahdaoui and Halim Karabibene of Tunisia; Abdul Qader Al Rais, Hassan and Hussein Sharif, and Fatma Lootah of the UAE; Ismael Fattah of Iraq and Dia Azzawi of Iraq; Ali Omar Ermes of Libya; Abdullah Al Muharraqi of Bahrain; Omar Al Nagdi, Adel El Siwi, Adam Henein and Susan Hefuna of Egypt; Mansour Sleiman and Jeffar Khaldi of Palestine; and Sami Mohammed of Kuwait.
“ the works of art define the ways a distinct Arab identity is shaped and reformed...”
Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi
Founder
Mandy Merzaban
Gallery Manager
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