RIYADH: The Riyadh-based Misk Art Institute recently launched its “Solo Series,” which runs in Misk’s Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall until September 19. It focuses on two of the Kingdom’s most significant artists: Yousef Jaha and Taha Alsabban.  

The intention is that “Solo Series” will be an annual event. Basmah Alshathry, director of the curatorial department at MAI, told Arab News: “This series is a very important step, because we’re really trying to fill a gap that’s there: the lack of archives and documentation of extremely important Saudi artists that have contributed so much to the field.  

“We do have a criteria to follow that we’ve built internally to ensure that the artists actually fit the identity of the series. Taha Alsabban and Yousef Jaha were very easy choices because of everything they’ve done in the field. (They have) contributed so much through their work and beyond the canvas.” 

Born in Makkah, Jaha emerged as a promising talent in the local art scene, winning a few prizes early on in his career before becoming an art teacher. His work has been exhibited internationally and received several awards, including one from MAI.  

His solo exhibition, “Yearning for Rain,” features works from 1991 to 2022 that explore his fascination with the environment and architectural tapestry native to his hometown. The show, curated by Madiha Sebbani and Shadin Albulaihed, includes both abstract and figurative works. 

Alshathry said: “Yousef Jaha is an artist, an educator, who has been active for over 50 years and contributed so much. He’s exhibited abroad in different biennales, and participated in a lot of different exhibitions and, most of all, he’s an educator — he’s someone that encouraged a lot of young artists. 

“The idea was to really focus on his love for his environment and how that influences — and is always present in — his work. He spoke to us a lot about the presence of raindrops and/or clouds in his work. It’s also very poetic — it signifies a lot of positivity and hope.” 

Jaha told Arab News he was “honored” to feature in the first of Misk’s “Solo Series” alongside “my peer and brother Taha Alsabban.” 

He said: “This is huge support for artists, especially the pioneers. I believe that Misk Art will guide Saudi art to new heights and international platforms.”  

Self-taught Makkah-born, Jeddah-based painter Alsabban’s works also highlight traditional architecture as well as cultural elements. He is truly a pioneer in the Saudi art scene, featuring in the first group exhibition at the Center of Fine Arts in Jeddah in 1967, where he was also the first chairman of the House of Artists, and a board member of the Saudi Arabian Society of Culture and Arts.  

“These artists made an effort to actually create a lot of different opportunities for themselves and the people around them,” Alshathry said. “And I think that’s what makes this series very important to us. It’s also a way of showing gratitude and appreciation.” 

Alsabban’s solo exhibition “Muse’s Reverie,” focuses on a pivotal yet overlooked aspect of his work. It was curated by Aram Alajaji and Nada Alaradi, and presents 45 of Alsabban’s paintings featuring women in various contexts, exploring identity, femininity, women’s roles in society and commerce, and women’s relationship with nature.  

“Taha uses the female as a foundation for everything. He (has always been) very close to the females in his life — his mom, his sisters, his wife, his daughters — and that influenced him a lot,” Alshathry said. “Taha is very well-known for capturing Hijazi culture and architecture, but when you look closely, you’ll find the female form in most of his works.” 

Speaking about MAI’s “Solo Series” in general, Alshathry said: “I think it’s a very critical time to launch this series, because with everything positive happening (in the Kingdom’s arts scene) you can see the energy and all the investments — but we can’t forget where it all started.  

“It’s important to know that the artists in this series aren’t the only ones out there,” she added. “We’re trying to encourage the idea of looking into, and studying more about, these pioneering artists.”