Artists Archives - Magzoid Magazine https://magzoid.com/category/artists/ Luxury Magazine Leading the Creative Space of MENA Region | Art, Culture, Business, Industry Veterans, Fashion, Luxury, Lifestyle Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:52:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://i0.wp.com/magzoid.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-m-1.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Artists Archives - Magzoid Magazine https://magzoid.com/category/artists/ 32 32 189067569 Lost Tradition: Inloco Gallery’s 2025 Season Launch Featuring Karim Jabbari https://magzoid.com/lost-tradition-inloco-gallery-2025-season/ Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:52:16 +0000 https://magzoid.com/?p=80615 Inloco Gallery announces the opening of its new season under the theme “Lost Tradition” scrutinizing the role of traditions in the contemporary world. The featured artists reflect on the reevaluation [...]

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Inloco Gallery announces the opening of its new season under the theme “Lost Tradition” scrutinizing the role of traditions in the contemporary world. The featured artists reflect on the reevaluation of heritage, emphasizing its evolving significance and exploring the nostalgia for ways of life that fade with time. The season’s launch is marked by the unveiling of VERTICAL HORIZON / 361 DEGREES, a project that unfolds through 3 interconnected components: an art intervention, a live performance, and a solo exhibition by internationally renowned artist Karim Jabbari.

Project Structure and Timeline

January 5, 2025 – Art Intervention in Al Satwa
The project’s narrative commences with an art intervention in Dubai’s historic Al Satwa district, where contemporary Arab artists Khalil Abdulwahid and Karim Jabbari explore the delicate balance between tradition and modernity. Guided by a leading expert in Arabic and multilingual typography Huda Smitshuijzen AbiFarès, the artists engage in a dérive – an unplanned single-day urban exploration – to immerse in street life and local conversations, intentionally seeking out traces of lost ways of living, while documenting their practice. The intervention captures the neighborhood’s stories, textures, and fading memories, offering a poetic reflection on its transformation. The art intervention draws inspiration from a 2024 project Sikka by Emirati urbanist and scholar Dr. Khaled Alawadi, highlighting the cultural significance of traditional alleyways, as hubs of social interaction and community life.

January 29, 2025, 7:00 PM – Live Performance and Video Art Screening
The narrative deepens through a dynamic live performance combining light, calligraphy, video art, and music. Jabbari will create light calligraphy in real time, with his evolving artwork projected on a large screen. Simultaneously, Abdulwahid’s video art will showcase Al Satwa’s disappearing cultural fabric, blending documentary footage with artistic intervention. The performance will be accompanied by vocal and musical improvisation by Faisal Salah (FACESOUL), whose music will become a featured show theme.

Karim Jabbari’s calligraphy artwork blending traditional and modern design at his solo exhibition in Inloco Gallery.

January 29, 2025, 8:00 PM – Solo Exhibition by Karim Jabbari
Featuring works created during his residency in Dubai, the show reflects on the artist’s engagement with tradition, urban nostalgia, and the reinterpretation of cultural heritage. Collectors and friends of the gallery are invited to an exclusive preview event to explore Jabbari’s innovative approach to blending ancient calligraphic traditions with contemporary design.

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Are True Believers the Future of Art Collecting? https://magzoid.com/true-believers-in-art-collectors/ Wed, 09 Oct 2024 09:41:48 +0000 https://magzoid.com/?p=72101 As the Art market shows signs of slowing down, the question of who the real art collectors are has never been more relevant. In June, art adviser Jacob King addressed [...]

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As the Art market shows signs of slowing down, the question of who the real art collectors are has never been more relevant. In June, art adviser Jacob King addressed this issue in a memo to his clients, following lackluster results at high-profile auctions. His argument? The growing popularity of an “investment mindset” could be at the heart of the market’s recent contraction.

King observed that a downturn in primary market art sales might be linked to “feedback loops that caused prices for art to spiral higher, while propelling an ever-greater supply of new material onto the market.” In simpler terms, artists are churning out work to meet the demands of a market that rapidly consumes and flips these pieces at auction, driving prices to unsustainable heights.

This isn’t just King’s observation. Kibum Kim, director at Commonwealth and Council gallery in Los Angeles, has also taken note of this trend. He points to an “artificial sense of urgency that doesn’t give people a chance to really dive deeply into an artist’s practice.” Although his gallery tends to avoid collectors with such a mindset, Kim says he’s seen some individuals making purchases based on “hearsay” rather than on personal connection with the artwork or its place in their collection.

But, as speculators begin to exit the scene, a new narrative is emerging—one that suggests the collectors still active in the market are those who truly care about the art itself, not its investment potential. These collectors, insiders say, are driven by what moves them emotionally and intellectually, rather than by financial gain. In conversations with ARTnews, several prominent and influential collectors emphasized that they don’t view collecting as a financial strategy. Instead, they purchase works that resonate with them and often share their collections with the public through museums.

Art adviser Allan Schwartzman explains, “These are passionate collectors—they are never looking at what everyone else is looking at. They’re not interested in what the market values. Sometimes what they value aligns with what the market values, but in general they’re more thoughtful in their approach.”

Jill Kraus, a trustee at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and a longstanding presence on art world power lists, has been vocal about her philosophy of collecting. At the 2023 Bomb magazine benefit, where she and her husband Peter were honored, Kraus reiterated her stance. “If you’re an artist, keep creating. If you’re a dealer, stop telling your artists to make the same painting 50 times in 50 different colors. If you’re a collector, buy with your heart and your eyes, not your ears. I’m adamant about this,” she said during her speech.

For younger collectors looking for guidance, these “true believers” offer a roadmap. They provide a model of arts patronage that impacts both artists and institutions while remaining deeply personal. Schwartzman notes, “It’s just like going to school. People need good mentors to do something well that’s moving the needle.”

As the art world continues to evolve, these thoughtful, passionate collectors may just be the ones who shape its future.

Joel Wachs: A Life Dedicated to Art

Since 1971, Joel Wachs, President of the Andy Warhol Foundation and former Los Angeles City Council member, has been using a portion of his paycheck to build an impressive art collection.

In the late 1960s, a young Joel Wachs, still in his twenties and on his final day in Kyoto, walked into a modest gallery named Red Lantern. For $25 each, he purchased two etchings—his first steps toward what would become a lifelong passion for art. The following year, after graduating from law school, Wachs realized how much he enjoyed surrounding himself with art. Working at a law firm that represented artists in Los Angeles, he started visiting the renowned Gemini Graphics studio (now Gemini G.E.L.). Inspired by the story of Herbert and Dorothy Vogel—two civil servants who built a significant art collection—Wachs began setting aside money from his income to purchase art, starting when he was elected to the LA City Council in 1971 at the age of 32.

Wachs’s interest in conceptual art emerged during law school when he first encountered Sherrie Levine’s 1981 series After Walker Evans. “I said, ‘How can this be art, where someone is photographing someone else’s photographs?'” Wachs recalled from his Manhattan apartment. This collection, similar to the Vogel’s display style, fills every vertical surface in his home, including doors. Discussing Levine’s work with gallery owner Richard Kuhlenschmidt ignited a fascination in Wachs that never left him. He eventually purchased the piece, the first that Levine ever sold. “To this day, we’re very close friends,” Wachs added.

While serving on the City Council, Wachs became a champion of the local arts community. “When I ran for mayor, Christopher Wool made buttons for me,” he shared. Artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Sam Francis, Ellsworth Kelly, and David Hockney even sold editions at Gemini to support his campaign. Wachs was known for maintaining an independent voice, often standing apart from developers.

In 2001, after moving to New York to become president of the Andy Warhol Foundation, Wachs’s art-buying budget significantly increased. Half of his paycheck now goes toward adding to his collection, which has grown to include 200 works by artists such as Jennifer Packer, James Bishop, Mike Kelley, and David Hammons. One notable piece is a sculpture by Lee Bontecou that he bought with $18,000 from an insurance check after the 1992 LA earthquake. Another is a painting by Marisa Merz, acquired on the advice of dealer Barbara Gladstone. Wachs also makes use of his closet as extra storage for his expanding collection.

Wachs has always been mindful of how his collection can benefit institutions. “Everything I buy, I buy with the institutions in mind,” he said, referring to museums like the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA), which he helped establish in 1979, and the Hammer Museum. He has already donated 100 works to each institution, with plans to donate his painting and sculpture holdings to MOCA and his collection of prints, drawings, and photographs to the Hammer Museum. “I’ve found immense satisfaction in not just building my collections but also using them to support the very institutions that I’ve worked with throughout my career,” he said.

One of Wachs’s recent finds is a Blinky Palermo work on paper from 1969, which he discovered at a small auction in Belgium. It is a study for Palermo’s 1970 installation at the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels and depicts a series of blue isosceles triangles. For Wachs, the thrill of acquiring such works is still as exciting as it was when he first began collecting.

His approach to collecting remains personal and thoughtful. “It’s not about what you don’t have. It’s about what you do with what you have,” Wachs reflected. “You have choices to make.”

Over the years, Cárdenas has collaborated closely with institutions such as the Smithsonian and the National Museum of Mexican Art to enhance their collections of Latino art while organizing exhibitions and publications. In 1994, he became the founding executive director of Latino USA, a weekly radio program produced at UT Austin that was later adopted by NPR. Last year, after joining the Blanton Museum’s board of trustees, Cárdenas and his wife, Dolores Garcia, donated over 5,000 pieces from their collection. Following this significant contribution, the museum appointed Claudia Zapata as its first associate curator of Latino art. Zapata’s initial project focuses on researching and cataloging the Cárdenas-Garcia donation.

Zapata remarked, “With Latinx collectors like Gil and Dolores, it’s not about diversifying a financial portfolio in a detached market. It’s very personal, which is evident in their collecting practice.”

Since Cárdenas began his collection, he has witnessed a transformation in the perception of Latinx art within the broader art community, attributed to artists, curators, nonprofit leaders, and fellow collectors. He stated, “There is a greater appreciation, understanding, and recognition of this art as part of American art.”

Marieluise Hessel believes in the power of art as a source of hope, as she establishes a research center and museum at Bard College.

Reflecting on her childhood in postwar Germany, Hessel recalled, “There was nothing but poverty and loss.” She described living in a single room after the war, having lost everything. With her father deceased, she feared losing her mother too. “The one thing that saved me was a beautiful little church. I would go there to pray, and it provided me with a sense of safety and comfort in that beautiful space.” Years later, she visited Schloss Linderhof, one of the castles built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria in the 1870s. “That’s where I learned to dream of a better life, free from war and the suffering it brings,” she said.

In the 1960s, Hessel began exploring museums in Vienna, where her first husband, Egon Hessel, was from. “I will never forget the first time I saw works by Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele at the Belvedere,” she shared. “I didn’t realize it then, but those beautiful yet melancholic works had a profound impact on my life.”

After connecting with Munich gallerist Heiner Friedrich, Hessel started acquiring pieces by artists like Gerhard Richter, Sigmar Polke, CoBrA artists, and Minimalists. “I collected what I could afford—one or two paintings a year,” she explained. “People say, ‘You have an eye,’ but I often think, ‘How could I know that a Gerhard Richter would eventually be worth $3 or $5 million?’ I liked it, wanted it, and could afford it. That’s how we approached collecting. I never thought of it as an investment—it just wasn’t part of the conversation.”

With a comprehensive research library in her New York apartment, Hessel has always pursued her interests. Allan Schwartzman, an art adviser, remarked, “The research Marlies conducts is as much about understanding concepts as it is about studying artworks. She’s among a rare group of collectors who think like curators.” As society has evolved, so has her collection; in the 1990s, she focused on identity issues and artists addressing AIDS, like Robert Mapplethorpe. Recently, she has collaborated with artists of the African diaspora, including Lina Iris Viktor and Zohra Opoku.

Schwartzman noted, “She takes this very seriously. It’s her job, and she strives to do it well, wanting to ensure that what she shares with the public is both compelling and worthy.”

In 1992, Hessel co-founded the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College after connecting with president Leon Botstein over their mutual interest in turn-of-the-century Vienna. In 2006, she established the Hessel Museum of Art on campus, creating a space for curatorial students to organize exhibitions with real artworks. She also made her exceptional collection accessible to the public, stating, “I wanted to provide something for people who lacked access because everyone deserves the opportunity to dream.”

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Call for Artists: Art Nights returns with extended celebration for DIFC’s 20th anniversary https://magzoid.com/difc-art-nights-2024-call-for-artists-2/ Fri, 27 Sep 2024 12:50:49 +0000 https://magzoid.com/?p=70805 Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a vibrant hub for art and culture in the UAE, has opened its call for artist to participate in its highly anticipated DIFC Art Nights. [...]

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Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), a vibrant hub for art and culture in the UAE, has opened its call for artist to participate in its highly anticipated DIFC Art Nights. For the first time in its history, DIFC Art Nights will be running for over a week, from 7 to 15 November, providing artists with an extended opportunity to be featured at this key platform for up-and-coming, undiscovered and established artists. 

The 18th edition of this bi-annual event invites artists from across the region and around the world to participate and transform MEASA’s leading financial district into a captivating canvas of creativity just in time for DIFC’s 20th anniversary celebrations. 

DIFC Art Nights will showcase a diverse range of artistic expressions, including visual arts, painting, sculpture, photography, design, murals, interactive workshops, panel talks, and music. This immersive experience will captivate art enthusiasts and the public alike, offering a unique opportunity to engage with established and emerging talents for an extended period of time. 

To participate in DIFC Art Night artists are invited to submit a portfolio of their best work to artnights@difc.ae, including high-quality images, a brief profile, and relevant details about each piece. Each entry will be reviewed by DIFC and the most outstanding artistic submissions will be selected for display. 

Categories include, but are not limited to, visual arts, painting, sculpture, photography, design, murals, mixed media, interactive workshops, and music. All submissions must adhere to the DIFC guidelines, available for download on the DIFC website.

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Mestaria Gallery Presents “Interwoven” by Areej Rajab https://magzoid.com/mestaria-gallery-dubai-interwoven-areej-rajab/ Fri, 27 Sep 2024 08:28:42 +0000 https://magzoid.com/?p=70725 Exhibition will run from 17th October until 10th November 2024 Mestaria Gallery is proud to present the latest exhibition by renowned Bahraini artist Areej Rajab, titled “Interwoven,” running from 17th [...]

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Exhibition will run from 17th October until 10th November 2024

Mestaria Gallery is proud to present the latest exhibition by renowned Bahraini artist Areej Rajab, titled “Interwoven,” running from 17th October to 10th November 2024. The exhibition invites viewers to experience an artistic and therapeutic play of colours and emotions where the intricate patterns of human behaviour are delicately overlapped with the rhythms of nature.

Born and raised in Bahrain, Areej Rajab was drawn into the world of art from a young age. While her academic path initially led her to study business and general management at the University of Bahrain. Her passion for art eventually steered her to the London College of Art, where her creative talents fully flourished. Areej’s work has since resonated with collectors and enthusiasts across the Middle East and the UK, where she has exhibited extensively. 

Interwoven lies in Areej’s expression of the deep connection between nature and human behaviour. Through her artwork, she reveals the intricate beauty of natural forms and how they mirror the complexities of human emotions. By layering colours, Areej symbolically reflects how human emotions and experiences intertwine, much like patterns in nature, echoing the masterfully harmonious designs found in nature. As she explains, “I find inspiration in nature as it is the purest source of colour. My focus is on colour combinations and how they blend and overlap rather than just colour itself, much like how human behaviour and emotions often intertwine and influence one another. Different cultures can interpret colour in various ways, which adds another layer of meaning to my work”. Her paintings, with their fluid layers of paint, brushstrokes, and intentional lines, evoke a sense of movement and freedom, reflecting the rhythms and patterns found in both nature and human emotions.

Unlike artists who capture and document present moments to reflect current experiences and complexities they navigate, Areej’s paintings reflect a place where she aspires to be — expressing an optimistic and hopeful vision of the world. Through her translation of nature, she shifts perspectives to convey joy and optimism, using a carefully chosen colour palette, weaving a spectrum of colours, with each hue and shade meticulously chosen to inspire specific emotions and moods. She leaves her paintings untitled, believing that each viewer should have the freedom to interpret and connect with the artwork in their own way. 

This exhibition at Mestaria Gallery invites guests to become part of an emotional moment, where each encounter creates a unique connection, “interwoven” between individual and canvas, leaving a lasting impression on Dubai’s art scene. Don’t miss being an added story to those brushstrokes of beauty.

Exhibition details:

Exhibition: Interwoven by Areej Rajab 

Dates: Thursday 17th October to Sunday 10th November 2024 

Location: Mestaria Gallery Alserkal Avenue, Dubai

Timings: Open daily from 10am-7pmFor more information please visit: www.mestaria.art

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Artes Mundi 11 Reveals Shortlist and 2025-2026 Venues https://magzoid.com/artes-mundi-11-shortlist-and-venues-announced/ Sat, 21 Sep 2024 08:13:00 +0000 https://magzoid.com/?p=70353 The prominent British contemporary art prize and biennial exhibition, Artes Mundi, has revealed the six shortlisted artists for its 11th edition, set to take place from October 17, 2025, to [...]

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The prominent British contemporary art prize and biennial exhibition, Artes Mundi, has revealed the six shortlisted artists for its 11th edition, set to take place from October 17, 2025, to February 22, 2026. The event, presented in partnership with the Bagri Foundation, will showcase these artists’ works across multiple venues in Wales, including the National Museum Cardiff, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea, MOSTYN in Llandudno, Chapter in Cardiff, and Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

The six shortlisted artists for Artes Mundi 11 bring diverse perspectives through their multidisciplinary practices:

  • Jumana Emil Abboud: A Palestinian-Canadian artist who delves into myths and folklore to explore connections in cultural legacies.
  • Sancintya Mohini Simpson: Her work reflects on the emotional toll of migration and the unspoken traumas of colonialism.
  • Anawana Haloba: Known for transforming poetic sketches into sound and installation performances, Haloba’s work highlights the socio-political and cultural fabric of different societies.
  • Kameelah Janan Rasheed: With a focus on language, her immersive works investigate its political, poetic, and even erotic dimensions.
  • Sawangwongse Yawnghwe: Through painting and installation, Yawnghwe engages with the political landscape of Burma, drawing from his intricate family history.
  • Antonio Paucar: His work, often ritualistic, uses video and performance to explore tensions between Andean and indigenous cultures and the West.

This year’s artists were selected by curators Zoe Butt, Sohrab Mohebbi, and Marie Helene Pereira. The exhibition will culminate in the announcement of the Artes Mundi Prize winner, the largest contemporary art award in the UK, valued at £40,000. The Artes Mundi Prize has previously recognized internationally acclaimed artists, with Taloi Havini winning the Artes Mundi 10 Prize.

The biennial will not only exhibit at the National Museum Cardiff but also at key cultural venues across Wales, offering audiences a chance to experience solo exhibitions from the shortlisted artists in different settings.

Art lovers can look forward to a dynamic showcase of contemporary global art as Artes Mundi continues its tradition of highlighting voices from diverse cultures and perspectives.

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Anna Delvey’s Interview with Ziwe Sparks Outrageous Moments https://magzoid.com/anna-delvey-interview-ziwe-provocative-results/ Fri, 20 Sep 2024 06:55:45 +0000 https://magzoid.com/?p=70306 Infamous art world scammer Anna Delvey, born Anna Sorokin, recently sat down with internet sensation and comedian Ziwe Fumudoh for a no-holds-barred interview that resulted in predictably outrageous moments. The [...]

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Infamous art world scammer Anna Delvey, born Anna Sorokin, recently sat down with internet sensation and comedian Ziwe Fumudoh for a no-holds-barred interview that resulted in predictably outrageous moments. The 33-year-old Delvey, who gained notoriety for her elaborate scams, continues her media appearances following a Netflix adaptation of her life and her release from prison.

Delvey, convicted of grand theft, larceny, and other financial crimes in 2019, received a sentence of 4 to 12 years in prison. Despite being released in 2022, she remains under house arrest. That hasn’t stopped her from maintaining her public persona.

Since her release, Delvey has hosted art shows while in detention, sold $340,000 worth of paintings, started a podcast, and held extravagant dinner parties at her East Village apartment. She even hosted a rooftop fashion show and walked the runway for Shao New York during Fashion Week.

In her latest media appearance, Delvey spoke to Ziwe, a comedian known for her sharp interviews that often leave her guests squirming. Ziwe, who rose to fame with her viral interviews of quasi-celebrities and clueless influencers, made the most of her interaction with Delvey. Known for her deadpan delivery, Ziwe asked Delvey provocative questions, leading to some memorable moments.

One standout moment came when Ziwe asked Delvey who she found more relatable: notorious fraudsters Sam Bankman-Fried, Elizabeth Holmes, or Bernie Madoff. Delvey’s response was telling. “Elizabeth Holmes,” she replied, explaining, “Because she is a white female who had to go through the criminal justice system.”

Delvey’s ability to capitalize on her infamous past is nothing new. Since her release, she has stayed in the public eye through a variety of ventures, including the Netflix series Inventing Anna, produced by Shonda Rhimes, which explores her life and schemes. Despite her house arrest, Delvey remains a controversial figure in the art and entertainment world.

The full interview is available on YouTube, where fans of both Delvey and Ziwe can watch the unpredictable back-and-forth that has sparked conversations online.

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Faisal Samra’s Bold Artistic Journey and Legacy https://magzoid.com/faisal-samras-bold-artistic-journey-legacy/ Fri, 13 Sep 2024 10:31:45 +0000 https://magzoid.com/?p=69750 Saudi-Bahraini artist Faisal Samra has dedicated his life to the pursuit of art, experimenting across mediums to explore the human condition. From his humble beginnings in Bahrain to becoming an [...]

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Saudi-Bahraini artist Faisal Samra has dedicated his life to the pursuit of art, experimenting across mediums to explore the human condition. From his humble beginnings in Bahrain to becoming an internationally acclaimed artist, Samra’s creative journey is one of defiance, discovery, and dedication.

Faisal Samra’s Early Life: A Childhood Shaped by Charcoal

Born in Bahrain in 1956 to a Saudi family, Faisal Samra’s passion for art emerged early. Growing up in a traditional Khaleeji-style home, Samra began experimenting with charcoal on walls. “As a child, I would draw on walls, tables, even the streets,” he recalls. Despite the lack of art supplies, Samra’s early fascination with drawing laid the foundation for a lifelong obsession with visual expression.

The Move to Saudi Arabia and the Discovery of Colors

At 12, Samra’s family relocated to Saudi Arabia, where his artistic passion continued to grow. It was at school that he first encountered formal art education. An art teacher introduced him to colored pencils and paper, encouraging him to channel his creativity productively.By the time he was 14, Samra had received his first art book on Michelangelo, which cemented his love for the craft. “Art was, and still is, my life. Consequently, if I’m not an artist, then I don’t exist,” he says.

Pursuit of Paris: Overcoming Barriers for Art Education

In the 1970s, Samra set his sights on studying art in Paris, aiming to attend the prestigious École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. Despite resistance from his family, he saved money while working at Aramco and successfully secured a scholarship from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Media. In 1974, at the age of 18, he moved to Paris, where he immersed himself in modern and contemporary European art. This experience not only honed his technical skills but broadened his artistic vision.

Establishing a Global Presence: Exhibitions and Recognition

During the 1980s, Samra’s career began to gain traction, with exhibitions in Paris and collaborations as an art consultant at the Institut du Monde Arabe. His works were eventually acquired by prestigious institutions, including the British Museum, Jameel Art Foundation, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, and Bahrain National Museum. Today, he is represented by Ayyam Gallery in Dubai, solidifying his position as one of the most significant artists from the Arab world.

A Multifaceted Approach: Exploring Film, Performance, and Painting

Samra’s body of work spans various mediums, including film, performance, painting, and photography. “I don’t like still water; I prefer it to be moving,” he explains. His constant experimentation is driven by a desire to explore man’s existence in a complex and ever-changing world. One of his best-known series, Distorted Reality, explores media biases and features figures in blurred motion, confronting the distortion of truth in the digital age.

The Artist’s Philosophy: A Bold Critique of Modern Society

Samra’s work often carries a critical edge, addressing the challenges and contradictions of modern life. His recent series Immortal Moment (Coping With The Shock) portrays faces in violent motion, reflecting the chaos and turbulence of today’s world. “We are living in times of change, but not necessarily development,” he says. “As we invent, we also destroy.” His art captures this tension, forcing viewers to reflect on the fractured state of humanity.

With a career that spans decades and continents, Faisal Samra’s Work continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art, offering a bold and often unsettling reflection on the human condition.

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New Arts Coalition Tackles Museum Inequities https://magzoid.com/coalition-new-arts-workers-group-challenges-museum-inequities/ Tue, 10 Sep 2024 08:07:05 +0000 https://magzoid.com/?p=69373 A Coalition of museum professionals, artists, and cultural workers in the U.S. has launched Readying the Museum (RTM), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing long-standing inequities within art institutions. First [...]

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A Coalition of museum professionals, artists, and cultural workers in the U.S. has launched Readying the Museum (RTM), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing long-standing inequities within art institutions.

First initiated in 2021, RTM has recently unveiled its initial program phase. The group’s primary focus is on the role of museum managers and executives in perpetuating systemic inequalities.

The formation of RTM was inspired by the global protests against racial injustice in 2020, catalyzed by the police killings of George Floyd and others. Miki Garcia, director of the Arizona State University Art Museum, and New York artist Xaviera Simmons, who received numerous requests for advice during this period, found existing DEI workshops inadequate for effecting real change. “The workshops were not enough,” Simmons stated. “We needed a way to address the deeply entrenched issues that inhibit real change.”

Garcia added, “We saw museums leaning into reactionary methods: colleagues doing token hires, museums using artists as cover, and others being ousted from museum associations.” She criticized these DEI initiatives as unsustainable and lacking in addressing root causes. “There was no desire to look at root causes and issues. There was a vast delta between what the workers were saying and the approach of those at the administrative level.”

With a $1.5 million grant, RTM aims to demonstrate a viable model for large institutions. The group draws inspiration from activist organizations like Decolonize This Place, known for its impactful protests at the Whitney Museum, which led to the resignation of the institution’s vice chair. RTM’s focus encompasses racism, patriarchy, labor conditions, and museum collections.

The core team, including Lori Fogarty from the Oakland Museum of California, and artists Cannupa Hanska Luger, Frederick Janka, and Cruz Ortiz, is investigating how senior staff can influence the museum environment.

The coalition group has engaged in challenging discussions with advisers about issues such as white fragility. “We talked about how patriarchy is a disease,” Janka recounted.

While many consulting groups focus on management strategies, RTM takes a unique approach, inspired by local Black feminist organizers and readings by Dean Spade on mutual aid and solidarity. Garcia noted that their approach is distinct from conventional museum consulting.

The coalition is currently examining how museum boards often exclude non-governing staff and artists from financial decisions that affect them. Janka mentioned that their research into trusts and donor-advised funds will inform the next phase of RTM’s work. George Scheer of the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, another founding member, highlighted that RTM is documenting how museums serve as “vehicles for wealth management” for donors.

RTM’s findings are documented on its website, ReadyingTheMuseum.com, which features case studies, essays, and interviews. The group has engaged with 250 individuals, including labor organizers and museum staff, and is building a network of partners as it continues to develop its concept.

As curators of color hired in recent years continue to leave their positions, Simmons stresses the urgency of RTM’s work. “The United States is not a mysterious place,” she asserted. “We don’t have to keep asking for more data or PhDs. That is white perfectionism, which is something we’re trying to say does not work. It’s a delay. It’s a con.”

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Banksy’s Latest Work Unveiled at London Zoo Gates https://magzoid.com/banksy-final-piece-london-zoo/ Wed, 14 Aug 2024 08:22:10 +0000 https://magzoid.com/?p=67454 Banksy’s latest creation has appeared on the gates of London Zoo, marking the final installment in his unexpected series of animal-themed artworks displayed across the city. The new piece features [...]

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Banksy’s latest creation has appeared on the gates of London Zoo, marking the final installment in his unexpected series of animal-themed artworks displayed across the city. The new piece features a dramatic scene: a gorilla lifting a shutter to free a sea lion and several birds, with other animals observing from within.

The artist has created this piece as the ninth in a series that began on August 5, revealing a new animal image each morning.

Previous artworks include depictions of a goat, elephants, monkeys, a wolf, pelicans, a cat, piranhas, and a rhinoceros.

A spokesperson for London Zoo called the new artwork “absolutely brilliant” and assured the public that they would preserve it. Daniel Simmonds, the zoo’s animal operations manager, expressed his excitement, stating, “Banksy has become part of the London scene, and it’s really nice to share his iconic status with, ultimately, one of the most iconic zoos in the entire world. We feel quite honored that he chose to use our front shutters to showcase one of his incredible artworks this morning.

Simmonds further mentioned that the zoo staff were unaware of Banksy’s plans to feature this artwork at their location, adding to the intrigue surrounding the artist’s work. “That’s part of the amazing enigma of Banksy and that’s why it’s so exciting to come in this morning,” he said.

Security guards have stationed themselves around the mural and erected a barrier to protect the artwork. The zoo will keep the shutter closed for the day, using alternative entrances to allow visitors to view the piece. Simmonds noted that additional crowds are expected, with thousands already booked to visit.

“We’ll definitely preserve it,” he confirmed. “We might even look at putting some perspex around it. The last thing we want, with typical London weather and after one of the worst winters ever, is to see this damaged.”

The new piece is set to remain at its current location for the immediate future, though it might be relocated later.

This commitment to preservation follows incidents where vandals partially defaced or removed earlier works in the series. For example, vandals defaced with graffiti a mural in Charlton depicting a rhinoceros on a Nissan Micra shortly after its unveiling. The Royal Borough of Greenwich has expressed disappointment over the vandalism and is considering future measures to protect the artwork.

The series has also lost other pieces to theft or removal, including a satellite dish with a wolf image from Peckham and a billboard with a stretching cat from Cricklewood. Banksy’s team has confirmed that the London Zoo piece is the final work in the series, which has captivated fans and observers throughout the week.

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Stelios Faitakis: Greek Artist Merging Street Art and Byzantine Iconography https://magzoid.com/stelios-faitakis-byzantine-iconography/ Wed, 10 Jul 2024 11:01:50 +0000 https://magzoid.com/?p=64526 Stelios Faitakis is a Greek artist who is celebrated for his distinctive fusion of street art and Byzantine iconography. Born in Athens in 1976, Faitakis has carved a niche in [...]

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Stelios Faitakis is a Greek artist who is celebrated for his distinctive fusion of street art and Byzantine iconography. Born in Athens in 1976, Faitakis has carved a niche in contemporary art with his large-scale murals and intricate paintings that bridge ancient traditions with modern sensibilities. His work is characterised by a unique amalgamation of Byzantine-style figures, bold colours, and contemporary themes, creating a dialogue between the past and the present.

Faitakis’ journey into art began with a passion for graffiti during his teenage years, which later evolved into a more formal exploration of visual arts. He studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts, where he honed his skills and developed his signature style. His early works were deeply influenced by the aesthetics of street art, but he gradually incorporated elements of Byzantine art, such as gold leaf and religious iconography, into his creations. This blend of old and new has become a hallmark of his work, allowing him to stand out in the crowded field of contemporary art.

One of Faitakis’ most notable projects is his participation in the 2011 Venice Biennale, where he created a monumental mural that garnered international acclaim. The piece, titled “The History of Pain,” is a powerful commentary on social and political issues, rendered in a style reminiscent of medieval frescoes. His ability to convey complex narratives through visually striking imagery has made him a sought-after artist for public and private commissions.

In addition to his large-scale murals, Faitakis’ work includes smaller paintings, drawings, and prints, all of which reflect his ongoing and deepening exploration of cultural and historical themes. His art is visually captivating and intellectually engaging, prompting viewers to reflect on the intersections of history, culture, and contemporary life.

Stelios Faitakis continues to live and work in Athens, where he remains an influential figure in the art community. His innovative approach to blending traditional techniques with modern themes has not only made his work resonate with a wide audience in Greece and internationally but has also significantly influenced the contemporary art scene.

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