First Etel Adnan Solo Exhibition in Saudi Arabia Opens at Ithra

The 'Etel Adnan, Between East and West' exhibition at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran marks the first solo showcase of Lebanese-American artist Etel Adnan in Saudi Arabia, taking place from 1 February to 30 June 2024. Curated by Dr. Sébastien Delot, the former Director of LaM, this retrospective displays 41 pieces created between the late 1950s and 2021. Artwork is borrowed from the Sharjah Art Foundation, Sfeir-Semler Gallery, Sursock Museum, and private collectors. The exhibition features a 25-square-meter ceramic mural and a screening of 'Motion', a compilation of Super 8 films from the 1980s. Notable works include Persian rug-inspired tapestries, 'Leporellos', and various oil and watercolor paintings. A bilingual catalogue by Hatje Cantz includes insights from Delot, art historian Toni Maraini, and curator Morad Montazami. Farah Abushullaih, Ithra's Head of Museum, emphasized the exhibition's role in promoting cross-cultural dialogue.