Firetti Contemporary Presents 'The Fifth Wife' Exploring Majlis Tradition

From March 26 to May 26, 2024, Firetti Contemporary in Dubai will present 'The Fifth Wife,' a curated group exhibition by Mara Firetti, Celine Azem, and Ali Cha’aban. This showcase features seven artists from the MENA region, delving into the cultural and mythological importance of the 'majlis,' a traditional gathering space vital to oral traditions. Participating artists include Sawsan Al Bahar, whose large-scale drawing traces her family's roots from Iraq to Syria along the Euphrates; Jason Seife, who investigates Arab tapestries as carriers of oral history; and Salmah Al Mansoori, who embeds memories into tiles through photographic transfers. Khalid Zahid reflects on the timelessness of Islamic architecture, while Aidha Badr’s series addresses mother-daughter relationships through heirlooms. Ghaleb Hawila reinterprets Al Masnad cushions with script designs, and ARE studio converts Syrian furniture motifs into artistic expressions.