[…] RB: What are the major events and processes that shaped your artistic trajectory and its politicization? I was eager to express my thoughts on and critiques of the politics of development, architectural landscapes, modern aesthetics, historical amnesia, and socio-political inequalities, among others | The work I have thus far produced reflects my longtime interest in both history and politics and seeks to spread awareness of issues that play a central role in shaping everyday social life |
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In Mecca, Masjid al-Haram [Grand Mosque], the holiest site in Islam, is a place where all Muslims are supposed to be equal, a fact that is highlighted during the hajj season | Yet, the upscale King AbdulAziz Endowment Project Abraj al-Bait Towers overshadows the mosque on one side, while the Jabal Omar Development overshadows it on the other side |
They attempt to censor work that addresses issues they consider to be taboo, such as religion.
4However, I have been able to take advantage of my design background—with the discipline being inherently solution-driven—in order to overcome the host of socio-political challenges and experiment with various channels of expressions and communication | Many continue to avoid such critical work out of fear of the attendant legal repercussions |
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As mentioned to us by the Lady Safia Bin Zager in regard to the visit by His Royal Highness King Juan Carlos I of Spain in part of a diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia which took place in Jeddah to her Popular museum, due HRH desire to get introduced to the heritage of Saudi Arabia, that once he entered the museum he canceled all his schedule for that day to spent the whole day with in the museum | The one with the bulldozer was made by Ahamd Sami Angawi as a witness to the expansion works in Mecca which is taking the old historic building down due to it is being a major obstacle in the expansion process |
Due to that much protest the plans for the expansion will take the old building a part and then will be renovated and put back.
11The Artist was not paid anything due to a disputation between him and the developers | Informed and inspired by the Hijazi culture and aesthetics, I have since experimented with various genres, artistic traditions, and mediums, including oil painting, film, photography, and illustration |
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What artistic and cultural forms have most influenced your style and work? Sarah Mohanna Al Abdali SMA : I come from a graphic design background, having studied and worked as a graphic designer for about two years | Jeffery from Pop Studio where the queen is shown in a traditional Urban Hijazi Western Saudi Arabia lady clothing in a Pop Art style |
A work that can be considered to be a model of Contemporary Islamic Art.
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