The works of Arab artists are shown as part of the "Art Library"program
The Middle East, a region rich in ancient art, has also long been home to dynamically developing places for contemporary art and culture.
Over the past century, talented Arab artists have depicted the world around them, especially in connection with major historical events that have shaped the region. They depicted everyday life and people in their countries and cities, even in moments of great change. However, not much has been written about the Arab artists themselves.
The MiSK Art Institute, a branch of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, or simply MiSK, aims to change this with the "Art Library", an initiative to write and publish a series of art books about Saudi and Arab artists in both Arabic and English. Published by the famous Rizzoli Libri publishing house, the first series of two books was published in June, dedicated respectively to the post-war contemporary artist of Saudi Arabia Abdulrahman Alsoliman, currently living in Dammam, and Adam Henein, a famous Egyptian modernist who died in May 2020 and was known for his innovative sculptures made of bronze, wood, clay and granite.
The elegant volumes, each about 150 pages long, offer an informal but concise and richly detailed introduction to the lives of some of the most prominent figures of Arab art. Each book is illustrated with an easy-to-understand text-ideal for anyone who wants to gain more knowledge about the history of art in the Middle East of the 20th century.
The editor of this series of books, Mona Hazindar, says: “I have long dreamed of publishing a book about artists from our region — a whole series of books that would shed light on their work and contribution to the history of Arab art, but I also wanted to show all those who were undeservedly forgotten, for some reason, or are still missing in terms of documentation and literature.”
” I applied to the MISK Art Institute because it is an organization that is engaged in the development of Arab and Saudi art in particular and the promotion of this project, " added Hazindar, who was the first female director general of the World Arab Institute in Paris from March 2011 to March 2014. “As an editor, I am pleased to work closely with the institute in selecting artists and relevant writers and considering the concept of exhibitions in support of the publication of books."
"Abdulrahman Alsoliman: Signs and Symbols" explores how the artist created his abstract paintings, a manner that led to a complex decorative style that was influenced by local Saudi and Arab traditions and literature. The book presents the works of respected Arab art critics and specialists, including Roxana Zand, Farouk Youssef and Zayn Alsai. The preface is written by Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al Saud.
Another book, "Adam Henein: Charcoal Drawings", reveals a never-before-published selection of charcoal drawings created by the artist over the last two decades of his life. These expressive and intimate drawings were crucial for the creation of his avant-garde sculptures. The book includes a foreword by Hazindar and essays by Arab art historians Sasha Craddock, Salah Bisar and Naira Zaghlul.
Regardless of what happens socially or politically with a certain people or place, it is art that will remain to remember the stories of this culture. As Hazindar notes “ " Ultimately, books are what remains and will tell the stories of Saudi and Arab artists, they serve as a guide, educate and inspire the audience. These books will bear witness to the long history of artistic practice in the region and reflect the themes, movements and styles of contemporary and contemporary artists working in it.”
Source of information:
arabnews.com
Over the past century, talented Arab artists have depicted the world around them, especially in connection with major historical events that have shaped the region. They depicted everyday life and people in their countries and cities, even in moments of great change. However, not much has been written about the Arab artists themselves.
The MiSK Art Institute, a branch of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Foundation, or simply MiSK, aims to change this with the "Art Library", an initiative to write and publish a series of art books about Saudi and Arab artists in both Arabic and English. Published by the famous Rizzoli Libri publishing house, the first series of two books was published in June, dedicated respectively to the post-war contemporary artist of Saudi Arabia Abdulrahman Alsoliman, currently living in Dammam, and Adam Henein, a famous Egyptian modernist who died in May 2020 and was known for his innovative sculptures made of bronze, wood, clay and granite.
The elegant volumes, each about 150 pages long, offer an informal but concise and richly detailed introduction to the lives of some of the most prominent figures of Arab art. Each book is illustrated with an easy-to-understand text-ideal for anyone who wants to gain more knowledge about the history of art in the Middle East of the 20th century.
The editor of this series of books, Mona Hazindar, says: “I have long dreamed of publishing a book about artists from our region — a whole series of books that would shed light on their work and contribution to the history of Arab art, but I also wanted to show all those who were undeservedly forgotten, for some reason, or are still missing in terms of documentation and literature.”
” I applied to the MISK Art Institute because it is an organization that is engaged in the development of Arab and Saudi art in particular and the promotion of this project, " added Hazindar, who was the first female director general of the World Arab Institute in Paris from March 2011 to March 2014. “As an editor, I am pleased to work closely with the institute in selecting artists and relevant writers and considering the concept of exhibitions in support of the publication of books."
"Abdulrahman Alsoliman: Signs and Symbols" explores how the artist created his abstract paintings, a manner that led to a complex decorative style that was influenced by local Saudi and Arab traditions and literature. The book presents the works of respected Arab art critics and specialists, including Roxana Zand, Farouk Youssef and Zayn Alsai. The preface is written by Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al Saud.
Another book, "Adam Henein: Charcoal Drawings", reveals a never-before-published selection of charcoal drawings created by the artist over the last two decades of his life. These expressive and intimate drawings were crucial for the creation of his avant-garde sculptures. The book includes a foreword by Hazindar and essays by Arab art historians Sasha Craddock, Salah Bisar and Naira Zaghlul.
Regardless of what happens socially or politically with a certain people or place, it is art that will remain to remember the stories of this culture. As Hazindar notes “ " Ultimately, books are what remains and will tell the stories of Saudi and Arab artists, they serve as a guide, educate and inspire the audience. These books will bear witness to the long history of artistic practice in the region and reflect the themes, movements and styles of contemporary and contemporary artists working in it.”
Source of information:
arabnews.com