One of the most exciting features of Art Dubai is the Ethiopian art on show, as the country’s leading gallery, Addis Fine Art, brings two notable artists to the emirate in a thoughtfully curated collection.
While the annual art fair – like its home city – is as multicultural as it gets, this is the first time Ethiopian art has made an appearance, with the hope of building an international audience for the country’s burgeoning arts scene.
While Ethiopia has a rich and ancient art heritage – dominated primarily by religious art led by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, until around the middle of the 20th century, when secular art started to be created – the arts have certainly made a resurgence in recent years.
Girma Berta, Moving Shadows II, I, (2017).
According to Rakeb Sile, co-owner of Addis Fine Art: “The number of Ethiopian artists invited to participate in art fairs and to show their work in prominent galleries and museums around the world today is unprecedented. International collectors are noticing and buying, while local collectors are also spending significant amounts on artwork, which was unthinkable just a decade ago.
“The growing public participation in art-related events is also very encouraging. The youth of the city, in particular, are the most visible participants, and the most receptive to new forms of expression that challenge traditional norms.”
Getting to this point hasn’t been easy, however, with the geopolitical challenges that the country has faced for decades. “Soon after the transition from church-influenced art to modern expression occurred, the political revolution from the early 1970s onwards greatly inhibited artists’ ability to practice freely along with their counterparts across the continent,” explained Mesai Haileleul, Rakeb’s partner and co-owner of Addis Fine Art gallery.
Girma Berta, Moving Shadows II, II, (2017).
However, thanks to the persistence of dedicated members of the art community and institutions such as the pioneering Alle Felegeselam School of Fine Art and Design, today there is a growing number of gifted Ethiopian artists practicing their craft across various media, and enjoying increasing interest and appreciation from the global art world.
One such artist who has had a significant impact on the current scene is painter and sculptor Wosene Worke Kosrof. His journey of becoming an artist back when “it was not viewed as a viable occupation” to be exhibited around the world — including at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art in Washington, DC — and being considered a vanguard of modern Ethiopian painting, can be considered a metaphor for the Ethiopian art movement, in fact.
He represents the old guard of Ethiopian painting with his use of Amharic script forms as a core element, which he often combines with abstract influences from the American Modernist movement.
“I want to present to international audiences something of the richness and complexity of Ethiopian culture. However, my artworks are not just about Ethiopia; they are about our shared human experience. American jazz is also a major influence and inspiration in my work,” said Wosene.
Offering an appropriate counterpoint to his seminal works will be young photographer Girma Berta, whose signature style of creating painting-like images of solitary figures set against vivid backdrops has rapidly garnered international acclaim.
The Instagram-savvy millennial artist effectively portrays the new Africa, one that is in the midst of a digital revolution.
“My work relies heavily upon this digital age, both through the technologies required for my artworks, as well as social media — which is not only a reality of the millennial African’s life, but has also provided me with a global audience,” he said. “We have a unique story to tell, our own personal narration of Ethiopian culture. And like many of my contemporaries, I seek to take back control of our narrative, and convey our own story to the world.”
Girma Berta, Moving Shadows II, X, (2017).
It will, no doubt, be a story that many aficionados at Art Dubai will want to hear.
As Rakeb put it: “The art world’s interest in art from Africa is a positive, albeit a belated development. And we believe that the discourse on African art and the global contemporary art movement would be incomplete without recognition of the immense amount and quality of contemporary expression coming out of Ethiopia.”
As growing international interest elevates African art on the global arena, the hope is, in this era of diversity and inclusiveness, that some of this art will “transcend the label and become sought-after on its merit, hence sustaining itself by integrating into the mainstream.”
The 12th edition of Art Dubai takes place March 21-24, 2018, at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.
Wosene Worke Kosrof, My Favorite Things II, (2018).
Ethiopia makes its Art Dubai debut
Ethiopia makes its Art Dubai debut
Riyadh festival celebrates Saudi creativity, theatrical arts
- The Riyadh Theater Festival reflects the commission’s commitment to supporting the performing arts and Saudi talent to achieve a strong presence on the regional and international stage
RIYADH: The Theater and Performing Arts Commission will host the second Riyadh Theater Festival at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.
The commission’s CEO Sultan Al-Bazie announced details of the event, which runs from Sunday to Dec. 26, to an audience of leading figures from the theater world and the media at the Saudi Music Hub.
The festival, he said, was a cornerstone for enhancing the theatrical movement in the Kingdom and raising public awareness of the performing arts.
HIGHLIGHT
The Riyadh Theater Festival reflects the commission’s commitment to supporting the performing arts and Saudi talent to achieve a strong presence on the regional and international stage.
This year’s event would feature 20 performances, selected by a committee of experts, to reflect the diversity of theatrical arts in the Kingdom, including its intellectual and developmental programs, Al-Bazie said.
The festival will also honor the late Ahmed Al-Sabbagh, who was a notable figure in the field.
The Riyadh Theater Festival reflects the commission’s commitment to supporting the performing arts and Saudi talent to achieve a strong presence on the regional and international stage.
It will conclude with the presentation of awards to the distinguished performers.
Prominent artworks at Riyadh Metro stations blend daily life, creativity
- Masterpieces transform the daily commute into a celebration of art, architecture and creativity
- Since its launch in 2019, Riyadh Art has seamlessly integrated art into the urban fabric
RIYADH: Riyadh Art, one of the world’s largest public art programs, has unveiled four monumental public artworks with the launch of the Riyadh Metro, transforming stations into cultural landmarks.
At the King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station, designed by the internationally acclaimed Zaha Hadid Architects, Alexander Calder’s “Janey Waney” takes center stage.
The lofty and colorful sculpture exemplifies Calder’s pioneering spirit in kinetic art, creating a dynamic and engaging experience for visitors.
Nearby, Robert Indiana’s “LOVE (Red Outside Blue Inside)” — one of the world’s most recognizable artworks — captivates visitors with its vibrant interplay of color and universal themes of connection and hope.
Together, these masterpieces transform the daily commute into a celebration of art, architecture and creativity.
At the Qasr Al-Hokm Downtown Metro Station, designed by the renowned architectural firm Snohetta, Ugo Rondinone’s “The Sun” makes a striking golden centerpiece, symbolizing energy and renewal.
Complementing this is Zaman Jassim’s “When the Moon is Full,” a reflective and poetic piece inspired by Riyadh’s cultural heritage.
“These permanent artworks embody our vision of transforming Riyadh into an open-air gallery that enriches the quality of life and fosters a deeper connection between people and art,” said architect Khalid Al-Hazani, executive director of Riyadh Art.
“By collaborating with some of the most creative minds of our time, we’re not just adding art to public spaces — we’re creating cultural landmarks that inspire and engage generations,” he added.
Al-Hazani told Arab News: “The beautiful thing is that there is a specialized program under Riyadh Art dedicated to installing artworks in all 85 stations that we’ve already selected, which will be produced and placed within the upcoming year.”
Led by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, Riyadh Art is championing cultural innovation and economic diversification, and positioning the Kingdom’s capital as a global center for contemporary art and culture.
Since its launch in 2019, Riyadh Art has seamlessly integrated art into the urban fabric, displaying over 500 artworks by more than 500 local and international artists, hosting more than 6,000 community engagement activities, and engaging more than 6 million visitors.
As the program continues to expand, the number of artworks and initiatives is expected to grow significantly, fostering a sense of community, enriching the city’s identity, and elevating Riyadh’s standing as a global arts destination.
Japanese artist Takayuki Mori’s interpretation of Saudi culture on display at Noor Riyadh
RIYADH: Japanese visual artist Takayuki Mori pays homage to Saudi culture and heritage in his latest work, which can be seen at Noor Riyadh, the Kingdom’s annual festival of light and art.
In “View Tracing #5 ‘LABYRINTH’,” the artist creates a visual manipulation experience featuring prominent cultural elements such as the falcon, mabkhara (incense burner), dallah (coffee pot), and an oud musical instrument mounted on large blocks and steps.
“I designed this with the structures based on Islamic geometrical patterns, so when people see it from the top, you see the patterns. After doing some research, I selected objects inspired by Saudi Arabia and the neighboring regions … These represent the senses — taste, smell, sound,” Mori told Arab News.
All the objects on display are 3D-printed and lined with fluorescent thread which glows in the ultraviolet-lit room, the lines creating geometric shapes that resemble computer-generated graphics.
Viewers cannot physically smell, taste or hear the items, but the artist creates an experience where echoic, olfactory and taste memory come into play.
As they navigate the maze-like pathways they are challenged to test their own memory, creating a unique experience of determining what we presume to be true and what really is in both virtual and physical spaces.
“This physical sculpture and installation was made digital to explore the relationship between two and three-dimensional, the analog and digital Riyadh,” said Mori.
Previous artworks in the series use a grid pattern, but this one features triangular patterns signaling to the motifs commonly found in old houses in Diriyah, the capital of the first Saudi state.
This is Mori’s first time visiting and exhibiting his work in the Kingdom and he expressed his optimism for the region’s art scene: “It’s very powerful and energized. I’m very excited for the future here. I’ve talked with artists from Saudi and other countries and they are very motivated, so I got some inspiration from them and I’d like to continue that in my work.”
Dutch artist Vincent Ruijter’s exploration of heritage and ethnicity on show at Noor Riyadh
RIYADH: Dutch artist Vincent Ruijters explores themes of identity and self at the ongoing Noor Riyadh, the annual Saudi festival of light and art. The festival runs until Dec. 14.
At this year’s edition, Ruijters digs deeper into hybrid cultures through the interplay of light, shadow and fabric. “This is telling my own story from a very personal way. But by doing that, hopefully connecting to all kinds of people,” Ruijters told Arab News.
Set in a studio in the Jax District, one of the three main festival hubs, “Selintas Selalu” is a kinetic installation: a steel-based structure stands at the center of the space where strips of red fabric hang off vein-like rods. A light is suspended in the center while steel light structures with sharp metal spikes frame the surrounding walls.
The work came about after three months’ research in Indonesia, where the work was created. While he was born and is based in the Netherlands, Ruijters’ mother is a seventh-generation Indonesian, with family roots going back to China.
These multi-ethnic groups, referred to as Peranakan, demonstrate a fusion between Chinese and Indonesian culture. “They have their own arts, colors, patterns, music, and their own culture,” he said.
The Betawi people, native to Jakarta and its outskirts, blend cultures including native Indonesian, Arab, Chinese and Portuguese.
“Actually, a lot of Chinese and Asians immigrated after the independence of Indonesia after the Second World War because the colony was over. So, they went to the Netherlands and America, and then they had children like me, but those children often do not know much about their ancestors,” Ruijters said.
Taking ownership of his own difficult history, he decided to research the topic not just for himself but also “for my other generations of Chinese Indonesians living in the Netherlands, younger people, to show them: this is your heritage,” he said.
The mix of cultures is realized in the motifs: the sun-shaped lamps on the periphery which are reminiscent of kembang kelapa decorations, the petal shapes at the structure’s base that are popular in Javanese batik dyeing techniques, and the red fabric, which is made in collaboration by Chinese and Indonesian craftsman with a special red color, associated with the Peranakan culture. This fabric was specially made in a batik house for this project.
“To make big installations, it’s never one person,” Ruijters said. “So, I was always trying to emphasize this as part of a team. I worked with an Indonesian electronic engineer, with a Dutch electronic engineer, with the batik workshop house for the fabric … I’m more like a guide to the creative process,” he said.
The artwork branches out from the light in the center, a symbol of Ruijters’ ancestors. As time progresses, the lamp moves forward, symbolically straying from those strong roots of the past, toward the twiggier branches at the forefront, leading us to the present.
Shadowplay is an important element, because it preserves Indonesian culture through shadows as a means of accessing an inner world. “You can feel your ancestry; you can feel the past shivering and whispering to you. And this is similar, I think, to the guiding light that is the constellation of the theme … I think shadow is a beautiful way of expressing that, because you cannot touch it. It's there, but it’s also not,” he said.
Art under the stars: Noor Riyadh returns to dazzle Kingdom’s capital
- Fleet of drones illuminates Saudi capital for Noor Riyadh
- 18 Saudi, 43 international talents present light artworks themed ‘Light Years Apart’
RIYADH: The courtyards of the King Abdulaziz Historical Center in central Riyadh came alive on Tuesday evening with the launch of the Noor Riyadh Festival, attended by creatives from around the world.
London-based artist collective United Visual Artists transformed the night sky into a living canvas with a preview of their drone show “Aether.”
Featuring 1,500 drones, the seven-minute performance explored the silent harmony of the stars and planets.
Noor Riyadh Festival, a key initiative of the Riyadh Art, is being held under the theme “Light Years Apart” and will continue until Dec. 14.
This year, the festival will feature artworks by over 60 artists across three hubs: King Abdulaziz Historical Center, Wadi Hanifa, and Jax district.
Architect Khalid Al-Hazani, director of the Riyadh Art Program, said Noor Riyadh is designed to transform the city into an open-air art exhibition.
Festival director Nouf Al-Moneef told Arab News: “What’s great about these three is the connection between art, heritage, culture, nature — and also contemporary creativity in Jax.
“The most important thing in Noor Riyadh is accessibility for people. Noor Riyadh is under the umbrella of Riyadh Art, whose mission is to transform the city into a gallery without walls. Wherever you go and whatever locations or hubs that you go to, you find these spectacular art pieces.”
The festival aims to enhance the quality of life in the Kingdom’s capital and contribute to fostering creativity and presenting art to the community, he added.
It serves as a platform for artistic and cultural exchange in line with Riyadh Art’s objective to nurture local talent and boost the cultural economy of the capital.
In addition to 18 Saudi artists, 43 international artists are representing countries including Australia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Turkiye, the UK, the UAE, and the US.
Speaking about the theme, Al-Moneef said that “Light Years Apart” is inspired by the connection between the Earth and the sky, praising the curatorial team who came up with the idea.
The festival invites citizens, residents, and visitors to explore the city and to celebrate the deep connection between heritage and creativity.
Mohammed Al-Bahri, an Omani journalist, said what caught his attention the most during the opening ceremony was the stunning harmony between the lights and music, which created a unique and immersive sensory experience for the viewers.
In recent years, the Kingdom has witnessed cultural and artistic development, which has contributed to enhancing its position on the global art scene, he added.
“I expect that interest in artistic creativity will continue to grow in the future, especially with the increasing government support for arts and culture, as well as the growing awareness of the importance of art in people’s lives,” Al-Bahri said.
“Art will thus become an integral part of the social fabric. Moreover, the younger generation is more open and has a deeper appreciation for the arts, signaling a bright future for artistic creativity in the Kingdom,” he said.
Munirah Abdulrazaq, a Bahraini beautician, said: “The Noor Riyadh Festival is a remarkable celebration of light and art, transforming Riyadh into a luminous canvas that bridges the gap between tradition and modernity.
“The fusion of creativity, technology, and heritage enhances the cultural landscape and positions Saudi Arabia as a burgeoning hub for contemporary and public art. By celebrating local and global artists, the festival fosters a deep appreciation for artistic expression and cultural dialogue, highlighting the Kingdom’s dedication to nurturing creativity and inspiring future generations.”
