Pop art blurred the lines of mainstream and subculture to celebrate the icons of the 20th century and capture them in a timeless rendering that solidified their universal recognition and fame. Legends of the Arab World exhibit utilizes this Western medium, created by pop art’s father Andy Warhol and manipulates it to serve our nationalistic desires by memorializing our very own Arab icons.
Athr Gallery, located on the fifth floor of Serafi Mega Mall’s Business Center, opened its exhibition on Jan. 24 with a great reception. A red carpet that looked out of Hollywood and flashing “paparazzi” lights led visitors into the display venue where they were bombarded with contemporary works by Arab artists — Ali Sultan, Hamad AlSaab, Bassem Al-Sharqi and Bandar Al-Ramaih.
Artistic partners Ali Sultan and Hamad AlSaab teamed up to create a line of iconic images of such eternal idols as Um Kulthoum, Omar Shareef and Fairouz. Their collaboration resulted in an array of modern depictions of our favorite stars from the silver screen and ageless music legends of the yesteryears. Using digital artwork on canvas, they have produced a stylized reflection of Arab culture that transcends generations. Today’s younger segment is drawn to their bold, pop art style, while their use of classic stars as their subjects, transports the older generation back in time.
Bassem AlSharqi is a young Saudi artist whose evolution and maturation has been an aesthetically joyous journey to follow. When AlSharqi first started, his work was a commentary on the intense influence of globalization — mainly the West’s impact on the East.
Utilizing non-Arab icons such as the Mona Lisa, barcodes, and American models, AlSharqi was stating that the classic “Arab” symbols associated with Saudi culture needed to be replaced with images belonging to today’s generation. With the media and Internet, he explained, these images were no longer the traditional icons, but universal ones that have become household icons around the world.
In Legends of the Arab World, AlSharqi is showing the reverse effect: the Arab world’s influence on cultures abroad. His Hind Rustom series presents the Arab star in a tapestry of influence — from the American pop art style to the Christian symbolism of the halo surrounding her. A proud collection of our Arab heritage and pan-national culture, Athr Gallery’s Legends of the Arab World is an awesome exhibition that will continue for two weeks.
A commentary on Arabia’s emerging influence on the Western culture and resulting harmonious fusion of the two, the exhibition is not only aesthetically pleasing but also socially provocative.
