Art has many forms and can be interpreted differently by different people. The latest exhibition at Jeddah’s Athr Gallery plays heavily on this concept and features the work of 36 artists responding to author Omar Saif Ghobash’s book, Letters to a Young Muslim.
In the book, Ghobash gives advice to his son in the form of letters. The missives are especially poignant given the current political climate, international misconceptions about Islam, financial worries, and ongoing wars. The art show, which is set to end on Aug. 30, features artists’ interpretations of the letters and allows the audience to make their own deductions too.
Above: A piece by Dana Awartani. (Arab News)
Of the myriad subject matters dealt with in the exhibition, Islam is a recurring theme. In the book, the author vehemently and passionately explains the many misconceptions about Islam that have spread globally. It is a touching attempt by a father to steer his son toward a clear path. The letters also act as a guide for today’s youth and call on readers to empower themselves through open and honest discussion.
The artists on show have responded with beautiful pieces that are awe-inspiring, confusing, beautiful, intense and larger than life.
These artists include Abdulkarim Qasim, Joseph Rodriguez, Jowhara Al-Saud, Lulwah Al-Homoud, Ayman Yossri Daydban, Sara Rahbar, Ushmita Sahu, Manal Al-Dowayan, Mohannad Shono, Ayman Zedani, Ahmed Mater and many more.
Above: By Nasser al-Salem. Note how dot on top of the ayin lights-up. (Arab News)
Athr Gallery divided the artists’ work into categories, starting off with “Fragments of Memory,” a section in which all the pieces hint at globalization making its mark on a conservative society. The pieces are emotional, nostalgic and romanticized.
The next section is “Youth and Other.” Here, all the pieces on show touch on taboo issues in society — the artists deal with sensitive and sometimes shameful subject matter in a wonderfully delicate and perspicuous manner.
Above: Ahmer Mater's "Cowboy Code II." (Arab News)
Visitors can walk around the gallery and connect the dots between each section of the exhibit. There is a plethora of different mediums on show, from pop art to photography and everything inbetween.
The next section, “Probable Questions,” sees artists attempt to answer a range of existential questions about identity and purpose.
Athr Gallery has created a marvelous platform for the artists to showcase their work; it is almost as if they are translating the letters in the book into their own artistic language.
The rest of the sections include the “Power of Language” and “The GreyArea,” both of which explore further questions and issues about our everyday lives. Each subsection complements the next, accentuates the message and places further emphasis on the deep hidden agenda that the book is based upon.
Above: Manal al Dowayan's work. (Arab News)
Athr Gallery has taken its time and arranged the artists’ work in the exhibit in a way that allows viewers to realize how the art pieces speak to them and about them. The power of the image forces a conversation, one that may not be easy, but one that is necessary.
The gallery has provided QR codes for each piece on display so viewers can not only look at the art piece in front of them but also delve deeper when the code is scanned.
A visit to the gallery, which is located at the Serafi Mega Mall in Jeddah, is worthwhile if you are hungry for powerful art that asks questions many are too afraid to tackle head on.
Above: A piece by Zahra Ghamdi. (Arab News)
