Zubair Qureshi
In connection with the International Women’s Day, art works of four renowned women artists of Saudi Arabia have been put on display at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).
This is the first time works of the Saudi women artists is being exhibited at the National Art Gallery and for the next two days a large number is expected to visit the Gallery no.3 of the PNCA to witness the art work of the Saudi women artists.
The three-day event titled “Weaving Threads” is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Nawaf Bin Said Al-Maliki on Tuesday inaugurated the exhibition. Director General of the PNCA Dr Fouzia Saeed welcomed the Saudi ambassador at his arrival. A number of artists, Saudi nationals and staff of the embassy were also present on the occasion.
The Saudi Ambassador highlighted importance of cultural relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and said the Saudi women were making their mark in every field of life alongside the men. About the four artists— Nouf Beydoun, Raeda Ashour, Nojoud Al Sudairi and Nora Al Issa—the ambassador said they commanded great respect and regard not only in Saudi Arabia but also in the Arab world for their unique expression and treatment of various subjects in their artworks.
According to the brochure distributed among the visitors, a new Saudi Arabia has been emerging over the past two decades. Saudi women artists are at the forefront of this growing, changing cultural landscape and presence of women artists, particularly the budding artists develops new links between Saudi Arabia and the global art and design world, both by disseminating information about the Kingdom’s growing art scene and through exhibitions of their works worldwide.
DG PNCA Dr Fouzia Saeed in her welcome address appreciated the Saudi Cultural Ministry and highlighted the role of artists in building the social fabric of societies and bridging cultures.
It’s a unique exhibition as all the artists are Saudi women and this is a first for Pakistan, she said.
These women represent emerging freedoms for Saudi women and help women in developing new links with the global art world, said she.
About artists:
1) Nouf Beydoun: Born in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Nouf Beydoun lives in Jeddah.
She has majored in Economics before continuing to take several art courses in London. Intense colors and a full range of texture translate her inspiration as an artist. She gained recognition by having her work displayed in many international exhibitions. These achievements have also led to offer of holding a solo exhibition and winning awards, including first place in the “7th Group Exhibition for Promising Female Artists”.
2) Raeda Ashour: She is a member of the women’s Saudiaat Art Group in Jeddah. Before returning to Saudi Arabia in 1991 she lived in Cairo where she worked in publishing. She has a BA in Middle East Studies from the American University of Cairo (1981). Having been a freelance artist for many years she joined workshops ‘Geometry and pattern, adornment in islamic art’ in 2006 and 2007 at The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in London. In 2007 she received a MA in arts education at Rushmore University.
3) Nojoud Alsudairi: She is an artist and architect based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She explores with painting and textiles to create work that falls under themes of identity, gender, and her own experiences and reflections.
4) Nora Alissa: She graduated from Goldsmiths College, the University of London with a distinction MA in Photography and Urban Cultures.
She is now working on several projects which look at different aspects of lived experiences, including the everyday, space and culture. She also works as an art consultant in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, helping to promote visual arts in the country.
