Saudi Art Gallery to Partake in London Frieze Art Fair This Week
Saudi gallery ATHR’s booth at this year’s premium international art fair will show exactly why the Kingdom is a force for the future
Saudi Arabia’s cultural evolution has given rise to some of the world’s most revolutionary artists – emerging from the shadows to, justifiably, capturing a global audience. One of the pillars and driving forces behind the movement has no doubt been ATHR, a pioneering Jeddah-based gallery that perpetually sheds light on the ever-evolving prowess and local art scene of the Kingdom. The gallery is set to participate in the upcoming edition of London’s Frieze Art Fair, with two formidable names that are proudly returning to represent the genius of the region: Sarah Abu Abdallah and Sultan bin Fahad.
Sarah’s immersive Blankets series reveals photos woven on blankets as a vehicle to showcase the absurdity of reconstructing the daily life in the context of domesticity. The experiential installation is beautifully displayed to mimic a traditional antique rug shop, through which the artist explores the processes of home, the familiarly of domestic spaces, and the underlying sociocultural conditions of Saudi.
The booth will also be home to Sultan’s film Dinner at the Palace from his renowned Red Palace exhibition. The artist – known for his expressions of Islam and Saudi identity, histories and national narratives – addresses the absence of the hands of labour in contemporary material culture. The film depicts a royal dinner – similar to those popular during King Saud’s reign – in which the focus is on the intricate process of arranging the feast by the palace’s servants. Then, unexpectedly, it is the waiters, cooks and cleaners who take seat and enjoy the dinner and grand silverware, taking part in a celebration of their work. “It’s a spotlight of the people who toil behind the scenes to make everything perfect,” Sultan explains.
“Often we rarely give thought to the people who make our lives comfortable, and so it’s necessary to define their importance through what we do see and think about the finery, the shine, the beauty of their work. It’s very important that this work, this labour in that piece particularly, is to be documented in a tangible manner; I wanted to ensure the experiences of the people were properly reflected and displayed.”
Both artworks represent a holistic view of Saudi society and its perception – and misconceptions – by the world. “The Saudi government is providing us with a huge amount of support, the level of which I don’t think is matched by any other country,” enthuses Sultan. “It’s an amazing platform to have and the best thing we can do to pay back such support is to work hard and represent our heritage and capabilities on the world’s stage, showing the beauty that Saudi creatives have to offer.”
He continues, “The major misconception about our culture is of its newness, which is not something we assign to other countries. Saudi Arabia may be a young country, but its people, language, and traditions are very old, ancient even. But there’s also a misperception that we are so nomadic that we don’t know anything of the modern world, that there’s a backward quality to us, when in fact, it’s our history full of innovation and wisdom that has helped us to survive in the now. These things of the past are things we now look towards to enable us to thrive in a world constantly evolving amidst massive issues such as climate change.”
With Saudi’s art scene stealing the spotlight the world over, the country’s creative energy has never before been felt more. And, as Sultan says, “It’s about time”.