The blog posts where I summarize my exploration of the local art community in Jeddah, such as gallery visits, art fairs and bazaars, and other events.
This exhibition really resonated with me, and somehow, I think it may have been the reason the concept of post-truth took hold in my mind. The first sentence in George Orwell’s book is: It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. – George Orwell, 1984 This is what the […]
The clocks are striking thirteen Read More »
All my exploration of art exhibits around Jeddah town ended up with me at ‘21,39’ Jeddah’s biggest exhibition. Their 2018 theme was ‘Refusing to be Still’ which is simply brilliant and fueled my creativity so much! I’m hoping I can join in for their next exhibit. The exhibition was curated by the assistant curator at
Refusing to be Still Read More »
Like alot of other blogs, this one is verrryy much overdue. One cold snowy February morning in Chicago, when Manahil and Rayyan were off to the zoo with their dad, Ayla and I decided to go to The Poetry Foundation. The Uber dropped us off in front of a giant glass building with no door
The Poetry Foundation Read More »
The Chicago trip… what can I say? It was a medley of moments; distressing, uplifting, thrilling and overwhelming all in turn. I’m still working on completing the visual journal and then will post details of the whole experience. For now, let me write this blogpost on the highlight of the whole trip: a visit to
The Art Institute of Chicago Read More »
The Other Story Project is a fascinating community project initiated by Fatima Al Banawi in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Here’s a bit more about Fatima Banawi herself: I find her and her work very inspirational. The focus of my own past community projects in Karachi has been to provide a platform for the stories and voices
The Other Story Project–collaboration Read More »
Architects of Air. I know I keep repeating that, I just LOVE that name! Anyway, they read my blog on the Jeddah Luminarium and reposted it! How cool is that 😀
Architects of Air repost! Read More »
A few days ago I heard that the Luminarium had arrived in Jeddah. Isn’t the name itself so awe-inspiring and mysterious? Reminded me instantly of the book ‘The Night Circus’ by Erin Morgenstern. Anyway, I took out some time on the weekend to go see the Luminarium and the first word I can think of
Visiting the Luminarium Read More »
Day two of our art gallery tour series found us on the doorstep of The Saudi Center for Fine Arts. Where Arbab al Heraf had been an amorphous concept, leaving us with little knowledge what to expect and then surprising us with hospitality, inclusiveness and an indiscriminate love for the artistic, SCFA was quite a
Exploring the Saudi Center for Fine Arts Read More »
Every expat I have ever met in Jeddah, artist or no, has always been absolutely certain of one fact: there is no room for the expat artist to grow in Jeddah’s local art scene. Yes, you can get a teaching job, yes, you can even visit art galleries superficially, but to be part of it all? Nope.
Visit to Arbab Al Heraf Read More »
I love Jeddah, I sincerely do. It’s been the place where I discovered my own strength and independence, and it has become home for me. So it hurts when I admit this, but arts and culture are severely impeded here. That is not to say that there is nothing artistic or cultural happening here, there
Expanding my horizons Read More »
