Omar Al-Qattan critiques global cultural power dynamics and Arab world artistic migration

Omar Al-Qattan explores the cultural disparities within the Arab world, where a sophisticated English-speaking elite leads cultural creation while the majority remains conservative. Both factions confront similar issues: the influence of Western military power, disconnected elites, and unregulated financial and art markets controlled by Gulf ruling families. Marginalized cultures perceive this globalized market as a form of colonialism, drawing artists to Western or Gulf centers, which risks artistic mediocrity. The trend of cultural migration increasingly gravitates towards Gulf areas that mimic Western colonies. As local customs fade, there is a rising demand for Islamic identity, even among second-generation immigrants. Al-Qattan highlights Israel as a case study of how power shapes cultural identity, advocating for a genuine global culture that challenges power disparities and encourages elites to engage with grassroots issues. This article was published in the November 2013 issue of ArtReview.