The inaugural London Arabia Art and Fashion Week held a stylish private viewing attended by Gulf Royalty, diplomats and leading creatives.
At the viewing held at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge, Arab News spoke to Prince Saad bin Mohammed Al-Saud who had several of his paintings on show.
Asked to comment on the dynamic art scene in Saudi Arabia, he said: “The art movement in Saudi Arabia is ‘kind of rebellious’. What is the meaning of art in the first place? It is a way of expressing yourself — so at least you have a chance to express what you want. That is what I mean by rebellious. Rebellion doesn’t have to be bloody or with gunshots. I think this is very positive — not just in art but also in literature. In literature there is a huge movement in Saudi Arabia which is a very positive thing. Suppression will ultimately only lead to an explosion.”
He spoke about his development as an artist and how he came to see how by expressing himself he could also encourage others to express their own creativity — to have the space to breathe or ‘ventilate’.
“Mainly I am a writer, but whenever I cannot write — I paint. I started ‘scratching’ 23 years ago and I learned from my mistakes. For me it was a kind of ‘ventilation’ — nothing more than that. But after my first exhibition in 2009 it became like my ventilation can enable others to ‘ventilate’.
He is completely true to his own creative impulses and imagination.
“With regard to my work, I do whatever I wish and it is up to the individual galleries whether they accept it or not — but it is my creation,” he said.
One of his paintings shows owls flying from the multi-sectioned head of a person. He commented: “Some people see them as bad omens or negative but to me owls are symbols of wisdom. You cannot find an owl in a circus — you cannot tame an owl. It is the only creature that can see 360 degrees — it is the only creature that can see in the dark. It is beautiful.”
Another painting shows the top of a person’s head opened up to show a maze with figures seemingly lost within the labyrinth. When you look at the mouth of the person — the mouth is drawn with a zip and the zip is closed tight.
Asked about the kind of ideas that drive his art, he said: “I am trying to look deeper into the person — what is going on in the mind. That is what matters — that is what defines us.”
Also exhibiting her work was Princess Reem bint Mohamed Al-Faisal Al-Saud whose black and white prints of scenes from the Gulf region are wonderfully atmospheric. Speaking about her work she said: “I like to define myself as a Muslim artist sprung from my native Saudi culture and history. In my art I am seeking to show signs of the Divine in nature and in man. For me, light is one of the many manifestations of God which He casts in our path through life to remind us of His constant presence in ourselves and in every place. Every photograph is a pattern of light and shade. For me my photography is a way to praise God’s glory in the universe.”
Arab News also spoke to Saudi artist Fatimah Al-Nemer whose work offers an imaginative reflection on contemporary issues in her society.
London Arabia Art & Fashion Week is the brainchild of Omar Bdour, CEO, Arab British Business Association. In his welcome address, he paid special tribute to Princess Reem bint Mohamed Al-Faisal Al-Saud and exhibition curator Mona Al-Abdullah Haraghi, co-founder of R Gallery in Jeddah for their support.
He spoke about the special place that London holds in the heart of many Gulf Arabs.
“If you ask people why they come to London they might mention it being a great business or tourist destination. But if you ask an Arab person they will reply: ‘In London I feel at home.’ We are very proud of the relationship between the Arab world and London.”
He plans that London Arabia will expand its scope to include many other creative industries.
“We intend to expand our reach to include writers, musicians and many others. This is even more important now in these extremely challenging times in the Middle East. Our aim is to continue providing opportunities for long lasting collaboration and exchanges across the cultural communities in both regions.”
Emma Dexter, Director of Visual Arts at the British Council, spoke about an upcoming event which underscores the close creative ties between the UK and Saudi Arabia.
“This summer we are proud to be hosting a group of international curators from Saudi Arabia and the UAE to take part in the International Museum Academy which is being organized by the British Council here in London. The curators will interact with our own Fine Art collection and explore innovative ways of presenting it both physically and digitally,” she explained.
Lady Victoria Borwick MP, Member of Parliament for Kensington, in her speech said she had a special message to convey from Boris Johnson, newly appointed Foreign Secretary and former Mayor of London. She said that he wanted to emphasize the UK’s renewed commitment to work with its international partners and its determination to be more active, engaged and outward-looking.
Visual Artist Fatma Alshebani from Qatar spoke to Arab News about her striking black and white photographs which were displayed alongside some of her sculptures.
She was asked to comment on what drives her artistic vision.
“My inspiration comes from my Qatari culture and from Qatari women. It comes from my heritage and my religion, she said.
She paid tribute to the great contribution to Qatar’s vibrant art culture made by Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.
Asked why she prefers to use just black and white images in her photography, she explained that in her childhood black and white photos were the norm and that many of her treasured memories are contained in such pictures.
Some of her photographs showed the Batoula and all convey a sense of beauty and cultural identity.
Alshebani, whose work can be seen across the Arabian Gulf, received her Bachelor degree in Fine Arts from Qatar University. She is looking to exhibit her work internationally.
“I want to participate in more exhibitions. My next exhibition will be in New York Art Fair in November — I am working toward that now,” she said.
Also exhibiting their art were Egyptian artist Adam Abd Elghaffar and Iraqi artist Mohammed Al-Shammarey.
The fashion show at the private view saw an elegant presentation by Qatari designer Nouf Al-Humaidi of D’Oro Fashion House.
Her beautifully crafted, flowing abayas were embellished with striking flower and geometric appliques in shimmering sky and midnight blues, greens, gold, silver and bronze. The look was subtle and poetic.
After the showing of her collection, she explained that for her fashion has been a passion from a very young age.
“I have been designing since I was about 14 but I just started with abayas almost a year ago. I studied business and graphic design — so my fashion designs are an expression of my artistic side as I did not study fashion formally.
“I started by designing gowns for relatives — for special occasions — and now we have established D’Oro with a strong baseline in abayas in the Gulf market. We started with abayas because we wanted to create a solid baseline and we will now move into different lines as well such as kaftans.”
She said she found the experience of participating in London Arabia alongside other talented creatives very rewarding.
“I have done a few fashion shows in Qatar and this is my first participation outside of Qatar. This is a new experience and I am meeting new people which is very valuable.”
She said she was particularly delighted to have the opportunity to show the culture of Qatar.
“I am so proud to represent the culture, customs and traditions of the Gulf area and specifically for Qatar.”
There were also stunning fashion showings by Mona Al-Mansouri from the UAE and Hanan Heidari from Tunisia.
London Arabia Art and Fashion Week was sponsored by R Gallery, Regent’s University London, London & Partners, Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel London, Godiva, Bicester Village and JOO7.
— [email protected]
At the viewing held at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge, Arab News spoke to Prince Saad bin Mohammed Al-Saud who had several of his paintings on show.
Asked to comment on the dynamic art scene in Saudi Arabia, he said: “The art movement in Saudi Arabia is ‘kind of rebellious’. What is the meaning of art in the first place? It is a way of expressing yourself — so at least you have a chance to express what you want. That is what I mean by rebellious. Rebellion doesn’t have to be bloody or with gunshots. I think this is very positive — not just in art but also in literature. In literature there is a huge movement in Saudi Arabia which is a very positive thing. Suppression will ultimately only lead to an explosion.”
He spoke about his development as an artist and how he came to see how by expressing himself he could also encourage others to express their own creativity — to have the space to breathe or ‘ventilate’.
“Mainly I am a writer, but whenever I cannot write — I paint. I started ‘scratching’ 23 years ago and I learned from my mistakes. For me it was a kind of ‘ventilation’ — nothing more than that. But after my first exhibition in 2009 it became like my ventilation can enable others to ‘ventilate’.
He is completely true to his own creative impulses and imagination.
“With regard to my work, I do whatever I wish and it is up to the individual galleries whether they accept it or not — but it is my creation,” he said.
One of his paintings shows owls flying from the multi-sectioned head of a person. He commented: “Some people see them as bad omens or negative but to me owls are symbols of wisdom. You cannot find an owl in a circus — you cannot tame an owl. It is the only creature that can see 360 degrees — it is the only creature that can see in the dark. It is beautiful.”
Another painting shows the top of a person’s head opened up to show a maze with figures seemingly lost within the labyrinth. When you look at the mouth of the person — the mouth is drawn with a zip and the zip is closed tight.
Asked about the kind of ideas that drive his art, he said: “I am trying to look deeper into the person — what is going on in the mind. That is what matters — that is what defines us.”
Also exhibiting her work was Princess Reem bint Mohamed Al-Faisal Al-Saud whose black and white prints of scenes from the Gulf region are wonderfully atmospheric. Speaking about her work she said: “I like to define myself as a Muslim artist sprung from my native Saudi culture and history. In my art I am seeking to show signs of the Divine in nature and in man. For me, light is one of the many manifestations of God which He casts in our path through life to remind us of His constant presence in ourselves and in every place. Every photograph is a pattern of light and shade. For me my photography is a way to praise God’s glory in the universe.”
Arab News also spoke to Saudi artist Fatimah Al-Nemer whose work offers an imaginative reflection on contemporary issues in her society.
London Arabia Art & Fashion Week is the brainchild of Omar Bdour, CEO, Arab British Business Association. In his welcome address, he paid special tribute to Princess Reem bint Mohamed Al-Faisal Al-Saud and exhibition curator Mona Al-Abdullah Haraghi, co-founder of R Gallery in Jeddah for their support.
He spoke about the special place that London holds in the heart of many Gulf Arabs.
“If you ask people why they come to London they might mention it being a great business or tourist destination. But if you ask an Arab person they will reply: ‘In London I feel at home.’ We are very proud of the relationship between the Arab world and London.”
He plans that London Arabia will expand its scope to include many other creative industries.
“We intend to expand our reach to include writers, musicians and many others. This is even more important now in these extremely challenging times in the Middle East. Our aim is to continue providing opportunities for long lasting collaboration and exchanges across the cultural communities in both regions.”
Emma Dexter, Director of Visual Arts at the British Council, spoke about an upcoming event which underscores the close creative ties between the UK and Saudi Arabia.
“This summer we are proud to be hosting a group of international curators from Saudi Arabia and the UAE to take part in the International Museum Academy which is being organized by the British Council here in London. The curators will interact with our own Fine Art collection and explore innovative ways of presenting it both physically and digitally,” she explained.
Lady Victoria Borwick MP, Member of Parliament for Kensington, in her speech said she had a special message to convey from Boris Johnson, newly appointed Foreign Secretary and former Mayor of London. She said that he wanted to emphasize the UK’s renewed commitment to work with its international partners and its determination to be more active, engaged and outward-looking.
Visual Artist Fatma Alshebani from Qatar spoke to Arab News about her striking black and white photographs which were displayed alongside some of her sculptures.
She was asked to comment on what drives her artistic vision.
“My inspiration comes from my Qatari culture and from Qatari women. It comes from my heritage and my religion, she said.
She paid tribute to the great contribution to Qatar’s vibrant art culture made by Sheikha Al-Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.
Asked why she prefers to use just black and white images in her photography, she explained that in her childhood black and white photos were the norm and that many of her treasured memories are contained in such pictures.
Some of her photographs showed the Batoula and all convey a sense of beauty and cultural identity.
Alshebani, whose work can be seen across the Arabian Gulf, received her Bachelor degree in Fine Arts from Qatar University. She is looking to exhibit her work internationally.
“I want to participate in more exhibitions. My next exhibition will be in New York Art Fair in November — I am working toward that now,” she said.
Also exhibiting their art were Egyptian artist Adam Abd Elghaffar and Iraqi artist Mohammed Al-Shammarey.
The fashion show at the private view saw an elegant presentation by Qatari designer Nouf Al-Humaidi of D’Oro Fashion House.
Her beautifully crafted, flowing abayas were embellished with striking flower and geometric appliques in shimmering sky and midnight blues, greens, gold, silver and bronze. The look was subtle and poetic.
After the showing of her collection, she explained that for her fashion has been a passion from a very young age.
“I have been designing since I was about 14 but I just started with abayas almost a year ago. I studied business and graphic design — so my fashion designs are an expression of my artistic side as I did not study fashion formally.
“I started by designing gowns for relatives — for special occasions — and now we have established D’Oro with a strong baseline in abayas in the Gulf market. We started with abayas because we wanted to create a solid baseline and we will now move into different lines as well such as kaftans.”
She said she found the experience of participating in London Arabia alongside other talented creatives very rewarding.
“I have done a few fashion shows in Qatar and this is my first participation outside of Qatar. This is a new experience and I am meeting new people which is very valuable.”
She said she was particularly delighted to have the opportunity to show the culture of Qatar.
“I am so proud to represent the culture, customs and traditions of the Gulf area and specifically for Qatar.”
There were also stunning fashion showings by Mona Al-Mansouri from the UAE and Hanan Heidari from Tunisia.
London Arabia Art and Fashion Week was sponsored by R Gallery, Regent’s University London, London & Partners, Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel London, Godiva, Bicester Village and JOO7.
— [email protected]
