Kuwaiti Artists Debut at Venice Biennale with Heart of Culture Exhibition
In Venice, six up-and-coming artists from Kuwait are presenting their creations as part of a cultural exchange initiative associated with Kuwait's National Development Plan, which seeks to position the nation as a financial and cultural center by 2035. The exhibition, titled 'Heart of Culture: In My Dream I Was In Kuwait,' is hosted at Scuola d'Arte dei Tiraoro e Battioro from June until November 28, 2019. Curated by Francesca Giubilei and Luca Berta, it features Amani Al-Thuwaini, Zahra Marwan, and Mahmoud Shaker at first, followed by Ahmed Muqeem, Khaled Al-Najdi, and Naseer Behbehani. In 2020, a group of six Venetian artists will conduct workshops in Kuwait City. The exhibition emphasizes shared textile traditions and delves into themes of identity and female symbolism.
Key facts
- Six Kuwaiti artists are participating in a cultural exchange with Venice during the 2019 Biennale.
- The exhibition 'Heart of Culture: In My Dream I Was In Kuwait' is at the Scuola d'Arte dei Tiraoro e Battioro.
- First group: Amani Al-Thuwaini, Zahra Marwan, Mahmoud Shaker (June–August 2019).
- Second group: Ahmed Muqeem, Khaled Al-Najdi, Naseer Behbehani (September–November 28, 2019).
- Curated by Francesca Giubilei and Luca Berta of VeniceArtFactory.
- Reciprocal program: six Venetian artists will exhibit in Kuwait City in 2020 at the Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre.
- Kuwait's National Development Plan, promoted by Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, targets 2035.
- The exhibition space was designed by Meshary AlNassar.
- Zahra Marwan's works are inspired by nostalgia and identity, using watercolor and ink.
- Amani Al-Thuwaini's textile installations focus on female symbolism and dowry traditions.
- Mahmoud Shaker uses calligraphy and photography to explore female identity.
- Venetian workshops visited include Simone Cenedese, Doppio Fondo, Tessitura Bevilacqua, and studios of Leonardo Cimolin, Silvano Rubino, and Veronica Green.
Entities
Artists
- Amani Al-Thuwaini
- Zahra Marwan
- Mahmoud Shaker
- Ahmed Muqeem
- Khaled Al-Najdi
- Naseer Behbehani
- Francesca Giubilei
- Luca Berta
- Meshary AlNassar
- Leonardo Cimolin
- Silvano Rubino
- Veronica Green
- Raymond Peynet
- Alessandra Quattordio
Institutions
- Scuola d'Arte dei Tiraoro e Battioro
- VeniceArtFactory
- Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre
- Simone Cenedese
- Doppio Fondo
- Tessitura Bevilacqua
- Artribune
- Galleria del Levante
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Kuwait City
- Kuwait
- Albuquerque
- New Mexico
- United States
- Campo San Stae
- Middle East
- London
- France
- Persian Gulf