JEDDAH: The Italian-Senegal multimedia artist Maïmouna Guerresi comes for the first time to Saudi Arabia to showcase her artwork and introduce it to the Saudi culture through Hafez Gallery.
This is the first solo exhibition, which opens today at Hafez Gallery, of an Italian artist in Jeddah in nearly 20 years, according to Italian Consul General Elisabetta Martini.
“She is the perfect bridge between our two cultures as she is a Muslim Italian artist who has a long, interesting story to tell on Wednesday in the Saudi Art Council,” Martini said on Monday at a press conference of the new initiative of the consul general in Jeddah to boost cultural relations with Saudi Arabia in collaboration with Hafez Gallery.
Hafez Gallery, which serves as a space to nurture the discovery of a Saudi visual identity and participates in international art dialogue, is hosting Guerresi’s solo. Her work focuses on the spirituality of human beings and their relationship to their inner mystical dimension.
Guerresi converted to Islam in 1991 and it marked a turning point in her life by affording her a new identity and direction for her work. She aims at creating awareness of the vital unifying qualities of Islamic spirituality through her use of recurrent metaphors such as milk, light, the hijab, trees and contrasting white and black.
She later began working with recurring themes related to multicultural symbolism and feminine spirituality.
Guerresi said that she had the desire to express herself through art after converting to Islam. “I didn’t want to work or produce any form of art that doesn’t really represent me and reflect who I am,” she said.
Qaswra H. Hafez, owner of Hafez Gallery, said that the gallery hosts six exhibitions each season at its hall in addition to external exhibition, either in Arab cities or international scenes.
“Now, of course, the priority is for Saudi artists, but, in every season, we make sure to feature one international artist to introduce his/her work to the Saudi art connoisseurs,” he said.
The solo exhibition runs through Jan. 25 at the gallery: 6559 King Abdul Aziz Road, Al-Zahra District, Jeddah.
Islamic artist showcases her solo work at Jeddah gallery
Islamic artist showcases her solo work at Jeddah gallery
Crown prince, US president discuss regional escalation in phone call
- Trump expressed Washington's condemnation of the blatant missile attacks against the Kingdom
- The crown prince also discussed the ongoing military escalation in a separate call with the president of Syria
RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a telephone call on Saturday from US President Donald Trump, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Trump expressed Washington's condemnation of the blatant missile attacks against the Kingdom, which were intercepted by the Kingdom's air defenses.
He affirmed US support for the Kingdom and its backing of all measures taken by the Kingdom to confront these Iranian violations that undermine the security and stability of the region, SPA added.
In a separate call, Crown Prince Mohammed and Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa discussed the ongoing military escalation in the region.
Al-Sharaa affirmed his country’s support for and solidarity with the Kingdom, SPA said in another report.
The Syrian president emphasized his country’s. rejection of any violation of the Kingdom’s sovereignty or any threat to its security and stability.
The crown prince also separately received calls from the Ruler of Oman, Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq, and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and discussed developments in the region amid Iran’s military escalation that targeted the Kingdom and other Gulf countries, SPA reported.
