Projects

One of the Gulf’s pioneering contemporary artists and writers, Thuraya Al-Baqsami’s work in painting and printmaking has been heavily influenced by her experience of living through the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990–1991.

Through painting and animation, Tala Madani’s work raises pertinent questions and offers a critique of gender and politics which reflects on who and what is represented in art.

Yüksel Arslan has been associated with both the surrealist movement in Turkey and the intellectual circles of 1960s Paris. Mining the depths of the unconscious mind, his work connects critical thought and spirituality, existing between mythology, science and the visual arts.

Primarily recognised as a visual artist, Yayoi Kusama has also produced work as a writer, filmmaker and fashion designer.

Semiha Berksoy was a seminal figure in Turkey’s cultural scene. Hailing from an artistic family, she began her career as a performer, playing lead roles in several operas, films and theatres—including Turkey’s first professional opera production and its first sound film.

Through references to gender roles and the female experience, Sara Abu Abdallah's work explores issues of obscurity and value, probing the social and cultural conditions of life in contemporary Saudi Arabia.

Known for his formal geometric sculptures made from everyday materials, Rasheed Araeen is widely considered to be a pioneer of minimalism and post-colonial thought.

Exploring formalism, gender identity and autobiography, Prem Sahib’s abstract sculptures, installations and paintings are minimalist, with an affinity for simple geometry.

A self-taught artist and writer, Omer Khairy is most known for his meticulous work with black ink on plain wood and paper, a style which he developed in the late 1970s and 1980s.

Mounir Canaan was a self-taught artist whose paintings have often been considered ‘ahead of their time’ and have only come to recognition after his passing.

Born into a Palestinian family in Beirut in 1952, Hatoum relocated to Europe in 1975 when the outbreak of civil war in Lebanon during a visit to London unexpectedly prevented her return.

Mohan Samant was an early modernist painter whose practice has remained largely unnoticed.

A leading figure in the ‘second generation’ of contemporary artists in the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed Kazem has developed an artistic practice that encompasses video, photography and performance.

Through his exploration of global history and political affairs, Michael Rakowitz creates public projects, installations and happenings.

A pioneer of modern art in Iran, Marcos Grigorian was an artist, teacher, gallerist, collector and curator.