Abdulmohsen Albinali's Stop-Motion Worlds at Ab-Anbar Gallery

Abdulmohsen Albinali's solo exhibition 'In the Dreamer's Dream' at Ab-Anbar Gallery in London reimagines ancient Arabian storytelling through stop-motion animation and sculptural installations. The show centers on his 2023 film 'The Dreamer Dreams,' following priestess Khalimah as she discovers a ritual fire dance. Albinali's work draws on oral traditions passed down by women in his family, particularly his mother. The exhibition includes sculptural mountain ranges 'Pleasant journeys into far away lands (Tabula Rogeriana) I and II' (2024) and a revolving diorama 'Istinzal: Ecstatic drumming collapse' (2024) featuring animalistic clay figures. Two earlier pieces, 'Qamariyah' and 'Shamsiyah' (2023), are displayed in glass cases. The gallery's basement setting creates an intimate, ritualistic atmosphere. Albinali argues for stop-motion as a contemporary art form, blending nostalgia with ancient themes. The exhibition runs until 10 August 2024.