Dubai: Saudi artists now have a foothold in the regional art market with the launch of Edge of Arabia: Contemporary Art from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during Art Dubai.
The book, published by UK-based Booth-Clibborn Editions, features works by 12 pioneering artists and offers a window into the contemporary life of a Kingdom in transition.
The book is under "Edge of Arabia", an independent umbrella arts initiative that aims to develop the appreciation of contemporary Arab art and culture in the region.
Speaking about the book to Gulf News, director Stephen Stapleton, explained that the Saudi art scene is at grassroots level, and the artistic movement has been described as most dynamic, authentic and challenging to have emerged anywhere in the Middle East.
"It revolves around a small community of artists. I became friends with a group of Saudi artists, who were creating conceptual art that was of great interest globally. Through their art, they were expressing cultural and political facets of their country. Their art expresses local issues, yet it is accessible for a global audience. This presented an opportunity to work on project that would provide an international platform to discuss possibilities with the international art world as well as the local arts community," said Stapleton.
Exhibition
The project was conceived in 2003, followed by an exhibition in 2008 and the latest book launch. "In terms of impact, the book will put Saudi contemporary art on the map because it will be in bookshops around the world. Hopefully this exposure will help them — both male and female artists — exhibit their work internationally," he said.
The book also documents milestone Edge of Arabia exhibitions in London, Venice, Berlin, Istanbul, Dubai, and Jeddah, with the initiative's recent one in Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Talent: featured artists
Shadi & Raja Alem, Hala Ali, Ayman Yossri D aydban, Manal Al Dowayan, Abdul Nasser Garem, Maha Malluh, Ahmad Mater, Faisal Samra, Jowhara
Al Saud, Noha Al Sharif and Sami Al Turki.
