EDGE OF ARABIA AT ART DUBAI 2010

   

Edge of Arabia is a platform to promote and empower contemporary artists from Saudi Arabia.  The venture launched in 2008 with an exhibition of contemporary Saudi art in London's SOAS Brunei Gallery, and was recently represented at the 53rd Venice Biennale. Just last month an Edge of Arabia world tour, which is being sponsored by the Abdul Latif Jameel Co. Ltd, was announced in Riyadh and after Art Dubai, the next two stops will be Berlin and Istanbul.

Edge of Arabia’s presence at Art Dubai includes an afternoon of artists talks and panel discussions in The Art Park (Friday 19th 12-2pm), an information booth (B30) and an educational workshop with UAE University students in partnership with Cuadro Gallery.

Visitors to the booth will discover the remarkable story of Edge of Arabia’s inception: how it grew from a chance encounter between British and Saudi Artists in the mountains of Southern Aseer, into a pioneering enterprise set to travel the world. Edge of Arabia hopes to enlighten visitors about its dedication to the promoyion of creativity within Saudi Arabia, and to bringing contemporary Saudi art to new audiences. 

The focus of the afternoon in the Art Park (Friday 19th 12-2pm) will be on the artists and their work as well the often lesser-known aspects of Saudi contemporary art culture. A Panel of curators, collectors and gallerists will be invited to explore current issues and address topical questions, such as: why are there so few active foundations, institutions and galleries dedicated to contemporary art in the Gulf’s biggest country? What can we do to encourage the development of the emerging contemporary arts community in Saudi?

Edge of Arabia artists will be on-hand to tell their unique stories of living, working and creating art in Saudi. The impression given from numerous Middle Eastern collections is that most working artists are from the Diaspora, however the majority of upcoming and successful Saudi artists choose to remain in their home country, embracing both local and global issues as their subjects. Abdulnasser Gharem, who is both a celebrated artist and a Major in the Saudi army, explains why he stays:

“Move abroad? No way. My art is related to the people living in Saudi Arabia. I am living in one of the most interesting countries in the world. Why move? I want to show you what has happened in this country. This is my mission.”

Following Art Dubai, 2010 will see major Edge of Arabia exhibitions in Berlin (June), and Istanbul (November), before continuing to showcase the new wave of Saudi contemporary art across Europe, America, Asia and the Middle East until 2014.

Visit us at stand B30 and www.edgeofarabia.com

Edge of Arabia is a Social Enterprise registered at the Arab British Centre, 1 Gough Square, London, EC4A 3DE.

   

 


 

 

 

 

 


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