The Misk Art Week presents the exhibition “The Misk Art Grant: Tracing the Absent” unfolding as a testament to the connection between ancestral practices and modern creativity. This exhibition featuring works by five artists from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain is dedicated to uplifting and promoting emerging and mid-career artists include: Abdulla Buhijji, Mohamed Almubara, Hayfa Algwaiz, Hussain Alismail and Maisa Shaldan. The displayed artworks unfold from an ongoing exploration centered around fading traditional practices, inherited legacies, and enduring social customs that constitute a vital part of our collective identity. By weaving tradition into the fabric of contemporary expression, artists pay homage to the past while sparking a compelling dialogue between the old and the new. This integration serves as a transformative pathway, allowing traditions to not only endure but thrive in the ever-evolving tapestry of the contemporary world.
Traditions, deeply embedded in human culture, serve as the cornerstone of identity, fostering social bonds, and imparting knowledge across generations. Rooted in history and laden with symbolic meaning, traditions provide a sense of continuity and stability amid the relentless changes in the world. Within the confines of this exhibition, artists embark on a captivating exploration of various facets of human life. From folkloric practices and social customs to community rituals, ancestral legacies, and the intricate relationship with traditional architecture, the exhibition offers a nuanced portrayal of the transformations experienced by communities amidst the sweeping tide of urbanisation.
Behind the scenes, the Misk Art Grant Committee is composed of distinguished artists, curators and art enthusiats including: Ahmed Mater, Basma Alshathry, Konstantinos Chatziantoniou, Maya Elkhalil and Myrna Ayad.
Location: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Arts Hall, KSA
Dates: 5 December, 2023 – 28, February, 2024.