Ithra Launches 'Horizon In Their Hands' Exhibition Showcasing Works By Arab Women Artists

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, known as Ithra, recently launched an art exhibition titled "Horizon in Their Hands: Women Artists from the Arab World." This event, held at the Ithra Museum, showcases contemporary works by 50 prominent women artists from the Arab region. The exhibition features a variety of creative pieces that significantly influenced the Arab modern art movement between the 1960s and 1980s.

Farah Abushullaih, head of the Ithra Museum, emphasised that this exhibition embodies Ithra’s commitment to fostering a cultural ecosystem. It aims to preserve heritage, amplify diverse voices, and inspire dialogue across different time periods. Abushullaih highlighted that collaborating with the Barjeel Art Foundation is a crucial step in Ithra's mission to promote creativity and spotlight lesser-known narratives in Arab art history.

The exhibition includes works by Saudi pioneers like Safeya Binzagr and Mounirah Mosly. Binzagr was among the first Saudi women to hold a solo art show in the Kingdom. Mosly is recognised for her use of varied materials such as copper and palm fibers. Their contributions have left a lasting impact on Saudi Arabia's artistic landscape.

Among other notable artists featured is Egyptian artist Inji Efflatoun. Her painting "Ezba" explores themes of freedom. Moroccan artist Chaibia Talal and Palestinian-born Vera Tamari are also highlighted for their exploration of memory and homeland through expressive colour compositions.

The exhibition also presents works by Egyptian-German artist Susan Hefuna. Her multi-media pieces delve into identity, urban life, and cultural hybridity. Additionally, early modernist figures like Egyptian painter Zeinab Abd El Hamid and Tunisian tapestry artist Safia Farhat are showcased alongside contemporary voices such as Bahraini artist Mariam Al Fakhro and Kuwaiti artist Suad Al-Essa.

Ithra continues to serve as a platform embracing diverse artistic expressions from various eras. Through interactive exhibitions and galleries, it brings together multiple cultures under one roof to enrich visitors' experiences. This approach reaffirms Ithra's role in promoting both local and global artistic dialogues.

With inputs from SPA