THE WHITECHAPEL GALLERY presents the largest single, historical presentation of Arab art in the UK, and we’re now introduced to part 2 of the 4 part instalment.
This second display focuses on figurative works of art in the collection produced between 1968 and 1987. This second display starts with an ink and pencil drawing Erotic Composition (1967-70), by Lebanese artist Huguette Caland which is a study for the abstract, sensual paintings of the body that she created later on in her career. In The Three Palestinian Boys (1970) by Marwan Kassab Bachi, the unique perspective shows only two of the three boys in full in the painting, suggesting the third has met a tragic fate.
Also on show are silkscreens by influential artist and writer Kamal Boullata, which depict Islamic calligraphy as colourful patterns. The texts written on the silkscreens are statements such as La Ana Illa Ana (There is No ‘I’ but ‘I’) (1983), a play on the Islamic saying ‘There is No God but God’ which challenges the notion that Arabic script is always Islamic when it is visually represented.
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