Reclaiming Visions Group Exhibition at Bassam Freiha Art Foundation
The Bassam Freiha Art Foundation (BFAF) is showcasing "Reclaiming Visions," a collective exhibition that includes Sama Alshaibi's 'Carry Over' project alongside sculptures by Azza Al Qubaisi. This exhibition offers a critical look at 19th-century Orientalist portraits of Middle Eastern women captured by Western artists, aiming to challenge and reclaim distorted historical narratives. Alshaibi employs albumen photogravure techniques to engage with these historical images, portraying herself with enlarged symbolic objects like ceramic water jugs and jute baskets to highlight the weight of persistent misrepresentations. Meanwhile, Al Qubaisi's sculptures modernize traditional women's head coverings, such as the abaya and ghonnela, fostering a dialogue between Eastern and Western perspectives. The exhibition is hosted at BFAF's main venue.
Key facts
- Bassam Freiha Art Foundation presents Reclaiming Visions group exhibition.
- Exhibition features Sama Alshaibi's 'Carry Over' project and Azza Al Qubaisi's sculptures.
- Exhibition critically explores 19th-century Orientalist photographs of Middle Eastern women.
- Alshaibi uses albumen photogravure printing processes to connect with historical imagery.
- Alshaibi depicts herself as the subject and uses enlarged symbolic props.
- Azza Al Qubaisi's sculptures reinterpret traditional head coverings like abaya and ghonnela.
- Exhibition aims to reclaim narratives and challenge exoticized representations.
- Press release from Bassam Freiha Art Foundation.
Entities
Artists
- Sama Alshaibi
- Azza Al Qubaisi
Institutions
- Bassam Freiha Art Foundation
- Ayyam Gallery