Poetry on canvas: Sudanese artist Rashid Diab discusses inspiration behind his work

Rashid Diab Heaven’s colorful sisters , 2020, Acrylic on canvas. (Supplied)
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Updated 09 September 2021
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Poetry on canvas: Sudanese artist Rashid Diab discusses inspiration behind his work

  • The internationally acclaimed artist says he is now focused on providing support for a new generation

LONDON: “I would love to be a poet. I pursue poetry through color.” Sudanese artist Rashid Diab is talking to Arab News about the inspiration behind his work.

That inspiration is perhaps clearest in his three-part series “Homage to My Poet Friend,” dedicated to the late poet and diplomat Salah Ahmed Ibrahim.

“I found in his poems what I was looking to do in my paintings — specifically in a very long poem about the migration of the birds from the South to the North,” Diab explains. In that poem Ibrahim urged the birds to keep flying and let nothing stand in their way: “If one of your wings happens to wane, just speed off/To where? Until you see the Nile studded with images of the stars/Like a sword embroidered with jewels scattered in disorder,” Ibrahim wrote.

“The most important thing about him is that he was a very kind person,” Diab says of his friend. “He was very nationalistic and expressed his feelings about Sudan. He lived abroad for a long time because he was against the regime. After he was removed from his post as ambassador, he lived in a very bad situation in Paris. When I visited him, we talked and laughed together and reminisced about Sudan. He was a very liberal, open-minded man. All his points are about liberty and freedom. He was very stubborn.”




Diab wants to honor the women of his country. (Supplied)

Diab himself has travelled extensively throughout Sudan (where he returned in 1999 after 20 years living in Spain) and it is his love of his homeland’s landscapes and people — especially the women — which shines through his canvases. In many of his paintings the figures seem to be moving at random through vast spaces.

“Since I came back to Sudan I have seen that many people don’t know what to do,” he says. “It makes life surreal. I see the silence of the space in the desert with people fading or vanishing away. It is an uncertain life.”

Speaking about a beautiful abstract image of a group of women in traditional dress, he said: “They create a moving painting. When they come together you get very interesting combinations of color and movement — like an art installation.”

Diab wants to honor the women of his country, he explains. “Many women in Sudan have lost their husbands or kids; they have suffered a lot but they keep going. They are very strong women. I show them respect when I paint them. These women have to be recognized.”




Rashid Diab, Camino Antiguo. (Supplied)

Diab says that he wants raise awareness of the cultural riches of his country, which are so often overlooked due to the blights of war and famine.

“When I went to the desert in the north I fell in love with the space,” he says. “Space means silence and clarity of images. There are also the ancient excavation sites, such as the pyramids of Meroe and Jebel Barkal. The east of Sudan has a different climate and geography. Women in the north paint their walls, and in the east women make decorated pots for daily use. In the south they do very interesting sculptures.

“We have more than 580 tribes — each with their own music, dance and poetry and art forms,” he continues. “You feel the warmth of the people. And the space. And the beauty that differs from one place to another.”

One striking silkscreen work, “Camino Antiguo,” depicts ancient camel caravans on the 40-day road trip from Darfur to Egypt. “I made this in Havana in Cuba,” Diab says. “My life has been in different stages with different styles. I do not believe in a fixed style; I believe in living. Every day I can change. It depends on what I feel at that moment.”




Rashid Diab, Distance II Acrylic on canvas. (Supplied)

He is saddened at the ongoing lack of support for the arts in his country — something he has been aware of since his childhood. His parents were supportive of his art, he says, but encouraged him to do his painting only when he had completed his homework. “My older siblings didn’t want me to be an artist, though, as it wasn’t considered to be a ‘proper’ job,” he says. “They wondered how anyone could make a living out of it. But the only thing I can do is painting.”

That view of art in his homeland was shared by institutions too, he explains. He recalls how, on his first day at the Khartoum College of Fine Art back in 1976, he asked the Dean if he could study the art of Sudan. He was disappointed to learn that this was not possible, as there was insufficient research into the subject.

Four decades later, he is still frustrated by the lack of effort put into developing the local art scene.

“We have had a problem since independence that, while the government believes art is important, it does nothing. Money is allocated for education but not for art. I feel very bad about this. We don’t even have a museum for modern art. There are almost 2,000 active artists here, but there isn’t much of an artistic atmosphere and only a few (people actually buy art).

“Since the late-Fifties to today the most prominent artists have left the country,” he continues. “They are living abroad. They die with their paintings outside of Sudan.”




Rashid Diab, Homage to my poet friend Monoprint, 1994. (Supplied)

Diab himself puts time, money and energy into providing facilities and opportunities for both up-and-coming and established artists in his homeland. The Rashid Diab Arts Centre provides workshops, galleries and accommodation, and Dara Art Gallery — managed by his son Yafil Mubarak — is another vital space in which artists can develop and express their talent.

Diab himself, like many talented artists of his generation, studied abroad. He won a scholarship to the Complutense University in Madrid where he took degrees in painting and etching and did his PhD. After earning his doctorate, he taught at the university for nine years.

His talent has seen him exhibit all over the world, most recently at the Bahrain National Museum in 2019, and this year at the Cairo International Art Fair, Umoja Art Gallery, Kampala and the One Off Contemporary Art gallery, Nairobi. In November, he will have an exhibition entitled ‘Monoprints’ at the French Institute in Khartoum, and 2022 will see him exhibit in Nairobi, Panama and Saudi Arabia.

Diab returned to Sudan after two decades in Madrid because he wanted to give something back to his country.

“All of my life I have felt that I have to do something for my people,” he says. “For me happiness is to share what you have with others.”


Stormzy’s ‘Free Palestine’ Instagram post was not deleted due to McDonald’s ad, sources tell British newspaper

Updated 15 February 2025
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Stormzy’s ‘Free Palestine’ Instagram post was not deleted due to McDonald’s ad, sources tell British newspaper

DUBAI: Sources close to British rapper Stormzy have said that the artist did not delete his previous Instagram post in support of Palestine due to last week’s advert with McDonald’s, according to Sky News.

Unnamed sources told the British news outlet that it “is simply not true” that the “archiving” of his Instagram post and the release of the McDonald's campaign are linked.

The initial Instagram post read: “1. Free Palestine. 2. In the future, if there is ever a clear injustice in the world no matter how big or small, 100 times out of 100 I will always be on the side of the oppressed. Unequivocally. As I always have been.”

According to Sky News, the deletion of the post was part of a “mass archiving effort” last year and not linked to his new advert, the sources said.

The 31-year-old grime artist from south London has come under fire for collaborating with McDonald’s, which has repeatedly been accused of supporting Israel since the start of the war in Gaza.

He launched the limited edition “Stormzy Meal” on Wednesday in the UK. In an advert, actors speaking in his voice order the new offering, consisting of nine chicken nuggets, fries, BBQ sauce, a Sprite drink and an Oreo McFlurry dessert.

McDonald’s has faced boycotts worldwide and been subjected to protests after it emerged that its Israel franchises gave thousands of free meals to members of the Israeli military and their relatives after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski previously condemned the boycotts as “disheartening and ill-founded,” saying they had harmed McDonald’s profits across the Middle East and elsewhere.

Franchise owners in Kuwait, Malaysia and Pakistan issued statements distancing themselves from the decision to hand out the free meals.

Fans responded to his McDonald’s collaboration critically, with one posting on social media that Stormzy is a “sellout.”

In an open letter to Stormzy, the UK-based  Peace and Justice Project  said his work with McDonald's is "hugely disappointing, especially given the musician's otherwise proud and solid record in supporting great causes and campaigns for social justice".

"We are therefore asking Stormzy to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their hour of need and respect the BDS committee's call for a global boycott of McDonald's by ending his new partnership with them," the group added. 

Kempczinski posted on LinkedIn in January 2024: “In every country where we operate, including in Muslim countries, McDonald’s is proudly represented by local owner-operators who work tirelessly to serve and support their communities while employing thousands of their fellow citizens.”

He added: “Our hearts remain with the communities and families impacted by the war in the Middle East. We abhor violence of any kind and firmly stand against hate speech, and we will always proudly open our doors to everyone.”


Andria Tayeh tapped by French haircare brand Kerastase as first Mideast brand ambassador

Updated 15 February 2025
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Andria Tayeh tapped by French haircare brand Kerastase as first Mideast brand ambassador

DUBAI: Lebanese Jordanian actress Andria Tayeh is the first Middle Eastern ambassador for French hair care brand Kerastase.

The 23-year-old actress took to Instagram to share the announcement on Friday, just over a week after she was named Italian luxury fashion house Giorgio Armani’s new Middle East beauty ambassador.

“Growing up, hair was always a big part of my identity, and now, representing a brand that celebrates hair in all its beauty feels surreal. Here’s to confidence, strength and great hair,” Tayeh captioned her latest post.

In the clip, she is seen in an all-white studio answering questions about why she is the ideal Kerastase ambassador. Tayeh speaks in a mixture of English, Arabic and French as she jokingly flips her hair for the camera and details her dedication to maintaining healthy hair.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Andria Tayeh (@andria_tayeh)

Known for her roles in Austrian filmmaker Kurdwin Ayub’s “Mond” and Netflix’s hit series “Al-Rawabi School for Girls,” Tayeh also took to Instagram in early February to celebrate her collaboration with Armani, writing: “I am thrilled and honored to embark on this new journey with Armani beauty.

 “This marks a real milestone for me, as the brand embodies values I have always cherished: timeless elegance, dramatic simplicity, and women empowerment,” she added. “Armani beauty reveals one’s charismatic personality in the most subtle and natural way. It’s this pure simplicity that creates an impact, and this is exactly what I hope to bring to the Arab cinema world.” 

The actress is the latest in a long line of regional stars who have been tapped by international luxury brands for brand ambassadorship roles.

French Algerian model Loli Bahia was tapped to be one of Yves Saint Laurent Beauty’s brand ambassadors in 2023, starring in a debut campaign for the brand alongside Chinese model Tao Ye.

In 2024, Lebanese British actress Razane Jammal was named Dior Beauty’s brand ambassador after being announced as the Middle East’s brand ambassador for Dior in October 2022.

Meanwhile, Spanish jewelry brand PDPAOLA named Saudi influencer Jory Almaiman a brand ambassador in late 2024, and Nancy Ajram became Tiffany & Co.'s first Arab brand ambassador the year before that.

 


Celebrity-loved Indian designer Manish Malhotra explores a new ‘globalized aesthetic’ at Dubai showcase

Updated 15 February 2025
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Celebrity-loved Indian designer Manish Malhotra explores a new ‘globalized aesthetic’ at Dubai showcase

DUBAI: Manish Malhotra is a name synonymous with opulence, craftsmanship and Bollywood glamour. As one of India’s most celebrated designers, Malhotra revolutionized South Asian couture and has dressed some of the biggest stars in the international entertainment industry.

From Bollywood royalty, including crossover star Priyanka Chopra, to Hollywood’s Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Anniston, Malhotra’s clothes have been seen on A-listers globally.

The designer closed out the latest edition of Dubai Fashion Week in February. (Supplied)

While his influence has extended outside India for some time now, Malhotra took it one step further by establishing a permanent foothold in the UAE. After opening his first international flagship store in Dubai in December 2023, he closed out the latest edition of Dubai Fashion Week in February.

Marking his first-ever international runway presentation, the lineup was everything loyal clients would expect and more. Titled “The World Collection: Dubai,” the clothes were a celebration of traditional Indian craftsmanship reinterpreted with global appeal.

His signature sequins adorned most of the clothes. (Supplied)

“I wanted to explore a more globalized aesthetic while staying true to the essence of Indian couture,” Malhotra told Arab News. “The silhouettes are bold yet effortless, tailored yet free flowing, designed to complement the modern woman’s dynamic lifestyle.”

His signature sequins adorned most of the clothes, and a metallic silver gown and a rainbow-colored gown with a fabric draping the model’s head stood out. Elsewhere, suits dominated the runway – but not the corporate kinds – more couture-esque with fluid cuts making them comfortable to move around in. The suits came with exquisite pearl embellishments, a nod to the region’s pearl diving heritage. Others were sequinned from head to toe, an ode to maximalism. “Suits, for me, have always been a powerful expression of confidence and individuality. With this collection, I wanted to explore tailoring in a way that felt both bold and glamorous while staying true to the essence of craftsmanship,” he explained.

Malhotra’s kaftans and abaya-like silhouettes were elegant and versatile. (Supplied)

Handwoven brocade came in the form of structured, button-down blazers with matching voluminous midi skirts, further spotlighting the craftsmanship Malhotra is known for. “I worked with master craftsmen to create handwoven brocades, intricate pearl embellishments and signature sequins, but the silhouettes were envisioned with an international sensibility.”

Suits dominated the runway – but not the corporate kinds, more couture-esque. (Supplied)

With sahoor and iftar gatherings just around the corner, Malhotra’s kaftans and abaya-like silhouettes were elegant and versatile. “This collection reflects a shift toward a more universal language of fashion – where heritage meets innovation, and tradition finds expression in modern, statement-making forms,” he said.


Pakistani actors Kubra Khan and Gohar Rasheed share photos from Grand Mosque after nikkah in Makkah

Updated 14 February 2025
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Pakistani actors Kubra Khan and Gohar Rasheed share photos from Grand Mosque after nikkah in Makkah

  • Khan and Rasheed remain among the most recognized faces in Pakistan’s entertainment industry
  • One of the images on social media shows them in the attire worn by pilgrims performing Umrah

KARACHI: Pakistani actors Kubra Khan and Gohar Rasheed announced their wedding on Friday, sharing photos on Instagram taken at the Grand Mosque in Makkah with the Kaaba, the black cubic structure at the center of Islam’s most sacred mosque, in the background.
Khan and Rasheed remain among the most recognized faces in Pakistan’s entertainment industry. With their marriage now public, fans and colleagues have flooded social media with congratulatory messages, celebrating their union.
Arab News attempted to contact both actors for further comments but did not receive a response. Most of their friends also refrained from speaking on the matter, though some confirmed that the nikkah, the Islamic marriage contract requiring mutual consent, took place in the Grand Mosque earlier this week on February 12.
“Under the Kursi [throne] of Allah… 70 thousand angels as witnesses and Rehmat [mercy] pouring down on us like rain… Qubool hai,” the two actors said in a joint Instagram post, referencing the belief in divine presence and blessings during their marriage and mentioning their acceptance of the bond in the last two words.
The images with the post showed the couple in the white attire worn by pilgrims performing Umrah, including a close-up of their hands placed on the Kaaba with wedding rings and another of them smiling at each other against the sacred black cube.

This photo, jointly posted by the couple on their respective official Instagram accounts on February 14, 2025, shows a close-up of their hands placed on the Kaaba with wedding rings, announcing their marriage on February 12, at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (Photo courtesy: Instagram/@thekubism/@mirzagoharrasheed)

The Grand Mosque is considered the most sacred site in Islam, where millions of Muslims gather to perform Hajj and Umrah each year.
Kubra Khan, born Rabia Iqbal Khan, is a British-Pakistani actor known for her roles in popular television dramas such as “Sang-e-Mar Mar,” “Alif” and “Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay,” as well as films like “Na Maloom Afraad” and “Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2.”
Gohar Rasheed has built a reputation with performances in “Mann Mayal,” “Ishqiya” and “The Legend of Maula Jatt.” The two actors have been close friends for years and co-starred in the drama “Jannat Se Aagay,” fueling long-standing speculation about their relationship.


British rapper Stormzy criticized for McDonald’s collaboration

Updated 14 February 2025
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British rapper Stormzy criticized for McDonald’s collaboration

  • Chain has faced global boycotts over perceived support for Israeli military with free meals
  • Stormzy launched new meal in UK after deleting pro-Palestine social media post

LONDON: British rapper Stormzy has come under fire for collaborating with McDonald’s, which has repeatedly been accused of supporting Israel since the start of the war in Gaza.

He launched the limited edition “Stormzy Meal” on Wednesday in the UK. In an advert, actors speaking in his voice order the new offering, consisting of nine chicken nuggets, fries, BBQ sauce, a Sprite drink and an Oreo McFlurry dessert.

McDonald’s has faced boycotts worldwide and been subjected to protests after it emerged that its Israel franchises gave thousands of free meals to members of the Israeli military and their relatives after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

At the time, CEO Chris Kempczinski condemned the boycotts as “disheartening and ill-founded,” saying they had harmed McDonald’s profits across the Middle East and elsewhere.

Franchise owners in Kuwait, Malaysia and Pakistan issued statements distancing themselves from the decision to hand out the free meals.

Stormzy previously published then deleted an Instagram post in support of the Palestinian cause.

He initially posted: “1. Free Palestine. 2. In the future, if there is ever a clear injustice in the world no matter how big or small, 100 times out of 100 I will always be on the side of the oppressed. Unequivocally. As I always have been.”

Fans responded to his McDonald’s collaboration critically, with one posting on social media that Stormzy is a “sellout,” and another asking: “Why delete your pro-Palestine posts?!”

McDonald’s said in 2023 that it was not responsible for the actions or promotions of individual franchises worldwide.

Kempczinski posted on LinkedIn in January 2024: “In every country where we operate, including in Muslim countries, McDonald’s is proudly represented by local owner-operators who work tirelessly to serve and support their communities while employing thousands of their fellow citizens.”

He added: “Our hearts remain with the communities and families impacted by the war in the Middle East. We abhor violence of any kind and firmly stand against hate speech, and we will always proudly open our doors to everyone.”