Artist Hoda Tawakol has her first exhibit in Dubai
An exhibit about the ever-evolving feminism discourse
Updated 01 January 2019
HALA TASHKANDI
DUBAI: French-Egyptian artist Hoda Tawakol’s first Dubai exhibit, which is running at Gallery Isabelle van den Eynde until Jan. 3, is a timely contribution to the ever-evolving feminism discourse.
Tawakol, whose work has been featured at the gallery since November, was inspired by her experiences growing up in France, Germany and Egypt.
Tawakol has made a name for herself through the use of hand-dyed and sewn textile pieces, sculptures, fabric collages and works on paper.
Her work, which mimics female cycles of life in an attempt to deconstruct stereotypes, is inspired by the feminist movement of the 1970s.
In fact, interwoven within her artwork are feminist ideals and blatant critiques of patriarchy.
Like many, Tawakol wishes to quell the expectations placed on women.
Her collection, entitled “Dolls,” is an expression of anger at women being objectified.
In “Lures,” she uses a falconry hood, a tool normally used to calm the birds of prey, to symbolize the way in which men oppress powerful women they wish to subdue.
Her artwork is masterfully done. It is symbolic and almost interactive in a way that simple paintings cannot be.
The pieces are so eye-catching, indeed, mesmerizing, not least through her use of captivating color schemes, that they almost beckon a response.
The exhibition is named after the main piece on display, a tapestry of black and red-colored fabric from her series “Palm Trees.”
The piece features hand-dyed textiles in Tawakol’s signature style. The series, which she began in 2015, is inspired by her multi-cultural childhood.
“Palm trees make me nostalgic,” the artist said. “They symbolize the Egypt of the 1940s and 1950s, the era of glamor, the golden age that I didn’t experience. At the same age, my playground in Europe had another kind of palm grove I found in the Palmengarten, a botanical garden in Frankfurt in Germany.”
Elyanna draws the curtain on ‘Woledto’ tour, looks forward to ‘next chapter of 2025’
Updated 24 December 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: Chilean Palestinian singer Elyanna concluded her “Woledto” (“I Am Born”) tour with a heartfelt message on Instagram, just weeks after winning Best Arab Indie Artist and Best New Artist at the inaugural Billboard Arabia Music Awards in Riyadh in December.
Elyanna launched her “Woledto” album in April and kicked off the tour in October, performing across North America and Europe. She graced stages in 30 cities, including Barcelona, Paris, London, Brussels, Berlin, Stockholm, Montreal, Toronto, Washington, Houston, and more.
“Feeling emotional and grateful of what this album and the tour has given me and given my fans,” she wrote. “It was a gathering of community to spread light and preach across each city and theater.”
She also hinted at upcoming projects, stating: “The sunrise and the rebirth of the ‘Woledto’ project is just (the) start for the next chapter of 2025. Arabic is the music of the soul and the sun. Grateful for all the talented people that believed in this project and helped with the vision to come to life this tour (sic).”
Elyanna’s debut album featured nine songs: “Woledto,” “Ganeni,” “Calling U,” “Al Sham,” “Mama Eh,” “Kon Nafsak,” “Lel Ya Lel,” “Yabn El Eh” and “Sad in Pali.”
Before releasing the album, she wrote to her Instagram followers: “This album is the embodiment of pride to be an Arab woman, to be from Nazareth, to be from the Middle East.
“This is the closest I’ve been to where I come from,” she added. “The only feature on my album is my grandfather.”
The Los Angeles-based singer’s music is a mix of Arabic and Western beats, which she attributes to her multicultural upbringing.
Elyanna has been normalizing Arabic lyrics in the Western world throughout her career, taking inspiration from artists including Lana Del Ray and Beyonce, as well as Middle Eastern legend Fayrouz.
She recently lit up New York’s Times Square when she was featured on a Spotify Arabia billboard, highlighting the streaming platform’s “Equal Arabia” playlist.
Elyanna is set to perform live with British hitmakers Coldplay when the band heads to Abu Dhabi for four shows in the UAE capital in January 2025.
Artist William Brooks seeks fresh inspiration in Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Art Futures program
Hub picks 12 artists for inaugural scheme
Updated 23 December 2024
Saffiya Ansari
DUBAI: Saudi creative hub Diriyah Art Futures has handpicked 12 artists for its inaugural Emerging New Media Artists Program this winter, with Welsh talent William Brooks making the cut.
Set to run for one year, the newly launched program offers access to professional equipment and facilities, a production budget, learning experiences with international guest professors specializing in new media art, and mentorships.
Brooks spoke to Arab News about his artistic process and what he hopes to gain from the opportunity.
Cellular Impressions, 2020, Digital Image Series. (Supplied)
“The prospect of working in a place that is culturally and geographically far removed from my homeland offers a unique experience,” he explained.
“I anticipate that the historical significance of Diriyah, combined with the vibrant contemporary discourse on art, technology, and culture in the region, will inform new directions in my work and deepen my engagement with the concepts I explore.”
To work with a global cohort of artists, researchers and mentors is something Brooks is particularly looking forward to, and he added: “I believe a crucial aspect of being an artist is being inquisitive. This opportunity affords me the means to draw from a diverse and far-reaching wealth of knowledge.”
When it comes to his work, the multi-disciplinary artist has most recently been experimenting with the medium of installation in a bid to merge historical processes with new technologies. His most recent work, for example, “(conflates) the use of traditional etching processes on metal with digital imaging of the often overlooked but pervasive presence of digital communication.”
Brooks’ interest in digital signals and their vital role in daily modern life aims to explore and highlight how “these connections shape our interactions and identities in ways we often overlook.”
He added: “By making these digital elements visible, I aim to spark reflection on the implications of living in a world increasingly mediated by technology.”
Despite the seemingly futuristic nature of his work, the artist is keen to look back at history to inform his process.
He said: “When approaching a project, I start by immersing myself in archival materials, historical documents, or artifacts, aiming to uncover the ways in which older technologies or media forms were once used, understood, and experienced.
“This historical research is an attempt to see how these past media forms can recontextualize and critique present-day technological advancements.”
Brooks recognizes that it is no mean feat to translate such abstract concepts into physical artworks and pointed to his 2022 work “Radio Tapestry” as a piece he is particularly proud of.
He said: “This work involved translating data from wireless networks and digital devices into a visual and sonic installation of etched plates, allowing the audience to experience the otherwise invisible electromagnetic signals that we rely upon and surround us every day.
“The challenge lay in not only making the technology function smoothly, but also in creating an installation that communicated the conceptual depth of the work — highlighting how these intangible signals shape our environment.”
Shattering expectations: Saudi artist’s journey into glass art
Aseel Al-Maghlouth breaks glass to break through in the local art scene
Updated 22 December 2024
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: Saudi artist Aseel Al-Maghlouth is hammering a niche for himself by using glass as his canvas.
He stumbled upon the technique while working on his graduation project in mechanical engineering. “I discovered the potential to employ broken glass to create distinctive artistic designs,” he told Arab News.
The intricate details that appear when glass breaks inspired him to create shapes and visuals and developed a technique that reflected his artistic vision.
Al-Maghlouth turns broken glass into stunning art, showcasing the beauty in fragility and redefining artistic norms. (Supplied)
Al-Maghlouth had a love for drawing from a young age, but it was not until he discovered his ability to express ideas in unconventional ways that his true passion for art crystallized.
“I have always drawn inspiration from the surrounding nature and the intricate details of daily life,” he said. This connection to his environment, combined with his experiences in exploring artworks, helped shape his unique style.
He finds beauty in the mundane and translates that into his creations, often using glass to convey emotions and narratives that might resonate with viewers.
HIGHLIGHT
By embracing the fragility of glass and transforming it into something beautiful, Saudi artist Aseel Al-Maghlouth challenges perceptions of what art can be.
Al-Maghlouth has gained significant recognition on social media, where his works are widely admired.
This newfound fame has allowed him to sell his works and create custom pieces for clients, including various artists and celebrities. “Creating for such esteemed individuals is an honor, and it motivates me to push my artistic boundaries,” he said.
"Each painting has its own place and story that distinguishes it.” (Supplied)
“The best work I own is the painting of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Frankly, I consider it the most valuable painting I have ever owned, but I refuse to sell it because it was a special gift from me to the crown prince,” he said.
“I have received many offers but I refuse to sell it. As for the rest of my paintings, I prefer not to mention the prices because the value of art for me is not limited to a number. Each painting has its own place and story that distinguishes it.”
One of the greatest challenges Al-Maghlouth faced as an artist was transforming his creations into messages that resonated with his audience. “The biggest challenge was ensuring that my art conveyed a clear idea,” he said.
I want to highlight the beauty of arts in our Saudi culture and connect it with Saudi Vision 2030.
Aseel Al-Maghlouth, Saudi artist
Through experimentation with the nature of glass fractures and the control of his technique, he minimized errors and created pieces that told meaningful stories.
Each strike of the hammer is deliberate, aimed at producing not just a fragment but a narrative that can be interpreted and appreciated by those who view it.
“I want to highlight the beauty of arts in our Saudi culture and connect it with Saudi Vision 2030,” he added, emphasizing the importance of cultural representation in his work.
Al-Maghlouth’s vision for the future is ambitious. He aspires to participate in international exhibitions, representing Saudi Arabia on a global stage. “I dream of organizing a personal exhibition in Riyadh to showcase my works and exchange inspiration with other artists,” he said.
For emerging artists, Al-Maghlouth has simple yet profound advice: “Don’t be afraid of trial and error. Each piece of art reflects a part of you.”
He encourages newcomers to continue developing and learning from every experience, and emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges.
His journey is testament to the idea that creativity flourishes in an environment where risks are taken and failures viewed as stepping stones rather than obstacles.
Al-Maghlouth’s work serves as a reminder that art can emerge from the most unexpected materials and methods, encouraging others to explore their creativity without constraints.
By embracing the fragility of glass and transforming it into something beautiful, he challenges perceptions of what art can be.
Al-Maghlouth remains committed to honoring the stories behind each piece, proving that even the most broken fragments can come together to create something truly extraordinary.
Alkhobar offers a visual feast with 56 works exploring new realities
Artists from Saudi Arabia and the world are screening creations
Kingdom’s Lina Saeed Qattan showing ‘Lena and the Magic Carpet’
Updated 20 December 2024
Jasmine Bager
ALKHOBAR: The sixth International Video Art Forum launched this week at the Cinema Society headquarters in Alkhobar, offering a visual feast for afficionados.
Organized by the Saudi Society for Culture and Arts, in collaboration with the Cinema Society, the event runs for 10 days and will feature groundbreaking video art from around the globe.
A jury of experts selected 56 artworks, narrowed down from 127. And the space showcases work from 29 countries, narrowed down from 41.
The forum has become one of the region’s top international platforms for video art, having featured more than 823 artworks from over 70 countries. (Supplied)
“There is no particular theme this year — aside from it being within the realm of ‘imagination embodied, reality transformed,’” Yousif Al-Harbi, director of SASCA’s Dammam branch and general supervisor of the forum, told Arab News.
“This year’s works continue to express the transformation of imaginative ideas and perceptions into tangible works of art that can have an impact on the reality that we live in.”
The videos can be watched in the upstairs space, which is covered with a black cloth door. Only three people can watch the short films as they play on a loop.
This year’s works continue to express the transformation of imaginative ideas and perceptions into tangible works of art that can have an impact on the reality that we live in.
Yousif Al-Harbi, Saudi Society for Culture and Arts director
The longest video is 7 minutes and the shortest under a minute.
A notable video is the 3-minute “Choreography of Space and Time” by German-based Egyptian artist Ehab Aziz that blends abstract imagery and dynamic movement.
In addition, Saudi Arabia’s Lina Saeed Qattan’s minute-long “Lena and the Magic Carpet,” uses artificial intelligence to showcase vibrant colors as Lena travels through the desert.
Organized by the Saudi Society for Culture and Arts, in collaboration with the Cinema Association, the Video Art Forum will feature video art from around the globe. (Supplied)
Arab News spoke with the 21-year-old Yemeni director, Yousef Ahmed, who has lived his entire life in the Eastern Province, about his short film, “Dose.”
“The film is about a depressed person who replaces his medication with sweets after reading a newspaper article,” he explained.
“It explores his journey of shifting perspectives — rising out of his sadness, only to sometimes fall back into it. We’ve all had days like this, and that’s completely normal.”
The film, under a minute long, was shot and edited entirely on a mobile phone over a month, specifically for the forum. “The phone is always available and accessible,” he said.
He added that finding the right music and fitting it into a larger format such as a TV screen was a challenge.
Workshops dedicated to AI and painting with light, were also part of the programming, as well as panel discussions with filmmakers and artists.
The forum has become one of the region’s top international platforms for video art, having featured more than 823 artworks from over 70 countries.
It has also hosted 31 lectures and workshops, offering artists a unique opportunity to connect and share their work with a global audience.
The winners will be announced at the conclusion of the event.
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
Updated 14 December 2024
Arab News
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.
