Saudi Steals Show with His Art of Powerful Themes
Presenting a new body of work with a subtly constructed educational undertone, Hafez Gallery in coordination with Ayyam Gallery organized a solo art show by the Saudi artist, Rashed Al-Shashai under the theme “Section 11”. Several citizens and expat residents attended the art exhibition and considered it to be one of a kind artwork that depicts Al Shashai’s perspective of an individual’s contradictions, fears and desires.
“Section 11” is a study of the changes in definition and beliefs in the Arab World and its effect on people’s behavior.
The artist assembled cover pages of ancient Islamic books and superimposed them with a horizontal LED installation comprising a straight line and several bifurcating branches, evocative of an airport terminal’s aerial view.
With this mixed media piece, Al Shashai alludes to the straight path of goodness that should come from personal reflection rather than from the obtuse compliance with books and publications written millennia ago. Moreover, the show also included a one-minute video called “I Choose” where the concept of free will is re-examined by showing three white fortune-telling papers on a dark background, enclosed inside a transparent box. Al Shashai in this proscribed the submissive acceptance of randomness and advocated that pro-activeness and positive thinking are imperatives for personal achievement.
Likewise, on the theme of unity, the exhibit also offered an Islamic World paper impression, a map gathering all Islamic countries into one borderless alliance. The Saudi artist transformed the ongoing conflicts into an idealized vision of the world governed by common interests, economic unity, and political harmony. Besides, through this exhibition, Al-Shashai aimed at showcasing the dramatic change in terms of thoughts and belief that the Gulf countries are experiencing.
Source: www.arabnews.com