Taha Alsabban: Muse's Reverie
Overview
Misk Art Institute (Riyad, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) presents the Solo Series, which aims to highlight pioneering Saudi artists who have played vital roles in shaping the local art scene. Each exhibition in this series offers a unique opportunity to delve deeply into the artistic journey of these influential figures, unravelling specific facets of their creative practice. Through the preservation of this artistic heritage, Misk Art Institute strives to develop a nuanced comprehension of the artists’ visual language and artistic aptitude.
With a career spanning over fifty years, Taha Alsabban stands as a pioneer and a luminary whose exploration of place, societal intricacies, and heritage positioned him as a preeminent figure in the Saudi art scene. Most known for his depictions of traditional architecture of Saudi cities, his distinctive painting style has gained him international recognition.
Muse's Reverie features forty-five paintings by Alsabban that highlight his exploration of the connections between women, tradition, time, and history, within the Saudi landscape. This exhibition sheds light on a crucial yet underexamined theme—the portrayal of women across various realms and identities.
About the Authors
Basma Alshathry
Basma Alshathry, Chief Curator at the Misk Art Institute, has a BA in Art History from the American University in Paris and an MA in History of Decorative Arts and Curatorial Studies from Parsons Paris, the New School. She spearheads various curatorial projects, including the prestigious Misk Art Grant and The Art Library series of publications, which focus on significant Arab artists. Basma’s passion lies in making a social impact through the arts, and her academic research has revolved around topics such as community building and social engagement. Her work primarily involves delving into Saudi art history, documenting its rich history, and providing support to emerging artists. Basma AlShathry’s curatorial accomplishments include her recent curation of the “Echoing the Land” exhibition in Riyadh, and her successful management of the Saudi National Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2019.
Aram Alajaji
Aram Alajaji is an art historian and curator whose practice explores the intersections of art, history, and culture. She holds a double major in History of Art and Archaeology and Law from SOAS, University of London (2022). Since graduating, she has worked as a curator at Misk Art Institute, where she leads and contributes to modern and contemporary curatorial projects. Alajaji’s curatorial practice bridges modern and contemporary art, with a particular interest in the social narratives and historical contexts that shape artistic practices. Her research is also concerned with histories that remain under-researched, undocumented, or absent from existing archives. Through research, writing, oral histories, and archival practices, she works to record and bring visibility to these narratives, contributing to the growing literature on art and cultural production in the region.
Suhail Alharbi
Nada Alaradi
Curators at Misk Art Institute, KSA
Technical Details
- Publication Date:
- Friday, November 1, 2024
- Language:
- English and Arabic
- Format:
- Softcover
- Dimensions:
- 15.5 x 22 cm
- Weight:
- 0.5 kg
- ISBN:
- 978-614-8035-87-6
- Number of Pages:
- 100
- Publisher:
- Kaph Books
- Categories:
- Art Books