THE WHITECHAPEL GALLERY presents the largest single, historical presentation of Arab art in the UK, and we’re now introduced to part 1 of the 4 part instalment.
This first display of works explores the emergence and subsequent development of an Arab art aesthetic through drawings and paintings from the early twentieth century to 1967, an important historical period in the region.
Display highlights include a portrait painting of a young woman in profile by Armenian-Egyptian artist Ervand Demirdjian titled Nubian Girl, which is believed to be one of the earliest works in the collection made between 1900 – 10. An early career painting by Dia Azzawi, recognised as one of Iraq’s most influential living artists, is also on show alongside Kadhim Hayder’s painting of symbolic white horses titled Fatigued Ten Horses Converse with Nothing (The Martyrs Epic) (1965).
The display ends with Hamed Ewais’s Le Guardien de la vie (1967-8), a large-scale oil painting that depicts a fighter, weapon in hand, while underneath him everyday events such as a wedding taking place and a child riding a bike are shown, suggesting the possibility of societal renewal following the collapse of the Pan-Arab ideal after the Six-Day War in 1967.
Visitor Information
Opening times: Tuesday – Sunday, 11am – 6pm, Thursdays, 11am – 9pm. Free entry.
Whitechapel Gallery, 77 – 82 Whitechapel High Street,
London E1 7QX.
Nearest London Underground Station: Aldgate East, Liverpool Street, Tower Gateway DLR.
W whitechapelgallery.org
T + 44 (0) 20 7522 7888 info@whitechapelgallery.org
“We're really excited to see this happening in the UK, representing the fantastic works of art from the middle east, we look forward to all the future installments”
Saliah Bryan – Creative at Creative Action