Art History
Through the Spiritual Lens: Laylat al-Qadr in Islamic Art
Apr 8, 2024
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14 minutes read
Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Power, is a spiritual event deeply embedded in the Islamic faith, commemorated with great reverence across the Muslim world. This holy night, marking the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad, inspires a rich tapestry of artistic expressions that reflect the cultural diversity of the Islamic ummah (community)...
Art News
Meeting with Asma Al Sharif, Organizer of World Art Dubai, at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Mar 20, 2025
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6 minutes read
World Art Dubai 2025 is the largest accessible art fair in the Middle East, bringing together over 400 artists and galleries from 65 countries to showcase a diversity of works ranging from $100 to $20,000. Its goal is to enhance its global visibility while supporting emerging artists through mentorship initiatives, educational programs, and digital tools that facilitate connections between artists, collectors, and businesses.
Art History
Divine Celebrations: Artistic Reflections on Eid al-Fitr
Mar 12, 2024
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7 minutes read
Eid al-Fitr, a festival marking the end of Ramadan, is not only a time of spiritual reflection and communal celebration but also an occasion rich with artistic expression. Across the Muslim world, Eid al-Fitr is celebrated with vibrant displays of religious art that capture the essence of this auspicious occasion...
Art History
Artistic Expressions of Faith: Eid al-Adha's Religious Heritage
Mar 12, 2024
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10 minutes read
Religious art plays a pivotal role in expressing the cultural and spiritual significance of Eid al-Adha. Through intricate calligraphy, vivid paintings, and symbolic motifs, artists convey the essence of sacrifice, faith, and community unity associated with this auspicious occasion...
Artist Portraits
Safwan Dahoul: A Life in Art
Jan 27, 2025
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8 minutes read
With over three decades of artistic practice, Safwan Dahoul has become a prominent figure both regionally and globally. As one of the leading painters in the Arab world, he has consistently shown how contemporary figuration can reflect the psychological and emotional landscapes of a region in perpetual transformation...
Lifestyle
Why everyone should buy art: the health benefits of art
Jun 21, 2022
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6 minutes read
Art can be very good for your health and help you feel happier and healthier in general. A piece of art may speak to anyone. Thousands of years ago, people communicated stories by painting drawings on the interior walls of caves. Recent studies show that beauty and health go hand in hand in the world of art.
Art News
Celebrating a Decade of Art: World Art Dubai Returns for its 10th Edition
Apr 23, 2024
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2 minutes read
World Art Dubai's 10th edition promises an immersive celebration of global artistry, fueling Dubai's creative economy and showcasing over 4,000 artworks from 65 countries.
Art News
Diriyah Art Futures: The New Epicenter of Digital Art in the Middle East
Dec 16, 2024
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3 minutes read
Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) is a pioneering digital art institute in Saudi Arabia, located in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With its state-of-the-art facilities and role as the region’s leading new media hub, DAF supports local artists while attracting international talent, redefining artistic practices globally.
Sell Art
The Best Art Schools in the Middle East
Feb 24, 2025
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7 minutes read
Discover the best art schools in the Middle East, from Saudi Arabia to Turkey. These prestigious institutions train the artists and designers of tomorrow through programs of excellence.
Art History
Shopping depicted in art
Nov 23, 2021
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6 minutes read
Christmas is just around the corner, and with it, the shopping spree! But what relationship does art have with commerce? Some works of art have certainly represented a precious testimony of the evolution, occurred during the centuries, of the modalities of sale and of advertisement of consumer goods...
Artist Portraits
Francesco Musante: A Journey Through Imaginative Art
Jul 18, 2024
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10 minutes read
Francesco Musante is an Italian painter celebrated for his vibrant and whimsical expression. His art transports viewers to enchanted worlds filled with vivid colors and playful forms, creating a unique narrative that blends fantasy and poetry...
Art News
All AI-made art is banned at the Animé Los Angeles convention
Nov 16, 2022
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3 minutes read
All AI-made art is banned at the Animé Los Angeles convention, which will be held in early 2023. They leave the door slightly open for a highly theoretical, utopian version of AI art that is open and honest about how it was trained. This is a big "no thank you" for AI art as it is today.
Lifestyle
Art Dubai 2024: Celebrating Artistic Diversity with 12 International Pavilions
May 2, 2024
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2 minutes read
World Art Dubai 2024, the region's largest contemporary art fair, is set to host 12 international pavilions at the Dubai World Trade Centre from May 2nd to 5th, showcasing a rich diversity of global artistic expressions from over 65 countries. This 10th edition highlights Dubai's role as a cultural hub with a vibrant mix of local and international talent, reinforcing its position as a global arts powerhouse.
Art History
Art that celebrates beach life
Jun 8, 2022
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7 minutes read
It is surely impossible to list and describe all the many works, including painting, photography, and performance, that have immortalized beach life and, consequently, also the changes in the sea motions and customs of bathers over time. Nonetheless, John Constable's Brighton Beach (1824) and Edvard Munch's Man at the Bath (1916) are certainly noteworthy, though oftentimes little known...
Art History
Basquiat's symbolism in contemporary art
Sep 25, 2022
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8 minutes read
The relevance of Jean-Michel Basquiat's creative flair continues to be felt within contemporary art, expressing itself through the work of artists, who, driven by the same impulse of denunciation, strongly desire to give voice to the unresolved dramas of racism and marginalization...
Art News
Mirages and Oasis, an exceptional land art exhibition in Saudi Arabia
Mar 11, 2022
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2 minutes read
The second edition of Desert X AlUla is held in the Al Mutadil Valley in Saudi Arabia.
Art History
Embracing Islamic New Year through the Canvas of Religious Art
Mar 20, 2024
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16 minutes read
Islamic art is a vibrant and diverse form of expression that has flourished over centuries, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and deep spiritual values of the Islamic world. Religious art plays a central role in Islamic culture, serving as a visual means of conveying spiritual teachings, inspiring devotion, and fostering a sense of connection with the divine...
Artist Portraits
Andy Warhol: Pioneer of Pop Art
Jun 20, 2024
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16 minutes read
Andy Warhol (1928-1987) transformed American art with iconic Pop Art pieces, elevating consumer culture using mass production and bold colors. His studio, The Factory, epitomized avant-garde creativity and influenced art and music, notably The Velvet Underground. Despite surviving an assassination attempt in 1968, Warhol's wide-ranging work in film, publishing, and more solidified his lasting global influence.
Artist Portraits
Jisbar: From Pop Art to Space - The Artist’s Evolution
Jul 24, 2024
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5 minutes read
Jisbar is a French pop-street artist renowned for his vibrant reinterpretations of classic artworks, including his notable "Mona Lisa" series, which blends graffiti with contemporary motifs. His distinctive style has earned him recognition in the global art scene and led to high-profile exhibitions and collaborations.
Art History
The Art and Soul of Islamic Calligraphy: Exploring the Quranic Texts
Mar 26, 2024
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11 minutes read
Islamic calligraphy, also known as Arabic calligraphy, is the highly regarded art of writing in the Islamic world. This art form is characterized by the fluid and intricate stylization of the Arabic script and serves as one of the most prominent visual expressions of Islamic culture and faith...
Artist Portraits
Hurvin Anderson: Exploring Identity and Place Through Art
Sep 20, 2024
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9 minutes read
Hurvin Anderson is a prominent British painter known for his exploration of memory, identity, and cultural history, often focusing on his Jamaican heritage. His work blends abstraction and figuration, depicting spaces that reflect the complexities of diaspora life...
Art History
Some symbols of New York "translated" by art
Jan 25, 2023
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10 minutes read
Beginning after the Second World War, the center of world art, the hothouse of all new trends, as well as the creative market, has gradually shifted from Paris to New York, therefore, an art historian from the old continent like me, cannot escape from pretending to ask for the fateful working vacations...
Art History
Exploring the Sacred: A Journey Through Religious Art at Easter
Feb 26, 2024
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14 minutes read
Easter, a central holiday in Christianity, signifies the resurrection of Jesus Christ and holds profound global significance...
Artist Portraits
Mimmo Rotella: Pioneer of Decollage and Italian Avant-Garde Art
Aug 12, 2024
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7 minutes read
Mimmo Rotella was an influential Italian artist renowned for pioneering the décollage technique, which involved tearing and reassembling torn posters to create new artistic expressions. His work, which intersected with movements like Nouveau Réalisme, significantly impacted post-war European art.
Artist Portraits
Invader: The Visionary Transforming Cities with Pixelated Mosaics and Urban Art
Aug 1, 2024
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6 minutes read
Invader is a French street artist renowned for his pixelated mosaics inspired by 8-bit video game graphics, which he installs in urban spaces worldwide. His iconic project, "Space Invaders," involves placing these mosaics in public areas, transforming city landscapes into interactive art experiences.
Artist Portraits
Abdulnasser Gharem: Bridging Tradition and Modernity in Saudi Arabian Art
Apr 7, 2025
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11 minutes read
Abdulnasser Gharem is a contemporary Saudi Arabian artist known for his thought-provoking works that explore themes of identity, transformation, and cultural heritage. His art often blends traditional elements with modern practices, reflecting the complexities of navigating personal and collective identities in a rapidly changing globalized world.
Art News
Two archaeologists, including a Louvre curator, are detained by French authorities as part of an ongoing international art-trafficking dragnet
Jul 26, 2022
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4 minutes read
The two are accused of negligently advising the Louvre Abu Dhabi to purchase artworks with questionable provenance.
Art News
Keanu Reeves and Artist Alexandra Grant Are Funding Art Projects as Advisors to the New Futureverse Foundation
Jul 8, 2022
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3 minutes read
The 'The Matrix' star and his longtime girlfriend are collaborating to support underrepresented artists through blockchain technology.
Artist Portraits
Alfred Freddy Krupa: A Pioneer of New Ink Art and a World-Renowned Artistic Force
Aug 22, 2024
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7 minutes read
Alfred Freddy Krupa is a renowned Croatian contemporary painter and master draughtsman, celebrated for his contributions to the New Ink Art movement, which fuses traditional Eastern ink techniques with Western modernism. As the author of the "New Ink Art Manifesto," he is recognized as a pioneering figure in this movement and a leading representative of modern European ink painting.
Art News
Over 150 artists have been named for the long-awaited Okwui Enwezor–Conceived 2023 Edition of the Sharjah Biennial
Apr 20, 2022
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2 minutes read
The Sharjah Biennale nominates over 150 artists for the long-awaited 2023 edition which will run from February 7 to June 11, 2023.
Art News
The Centre Pompidou signs an agreement for the construction of a new museum in Saudi Arabia
Mar 15, 2023
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3 minutes read
The sandstone valleys and mountains of AlUla, which hold Saudi Arabia's cultural ambitions, will soon be home to another high-profile project.
Art News
Qatar Museums Display Palestinian Flag in Solidarity Amid Escalating Israel-Hamas Conflict
Oct 11, 2023
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2 minutes read
Qatar Museums, led by Sheikha Al-Mayassa, projected the Palestinian flag on two prominent cultural institutions in Doha within 36 hours of a Hamas attack on Israel, as a gesture of solidarity. The act coincided with escalating tensions in the region and ongoing negotiations for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Artist Portraits
Gaetano Ligrani: The artist of introspection and serenity
Dec 27, 2024
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4 minutes read
Gaetano Ligrani, an Italian artist who combines design, architecture, and visual art, creates surreal and meditative works that explore the relationship between space, light, and solitude. His art, marked by a fusion of geometry and nature, offers an aesthetic and introspective depth, making him a must-see artist in the contemporary art world.
Art History
Celestial Journey: Exploring the Artistic Heritage of Isra and Mi'raj
Apr 17, 2024
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17 minutes read
In Islamic art, the constraints imposed by aniconism—a reluctance to represent sentient beings—have propelled calligraphy to the forefront of religious expression. This is particularly evident in the depiction of significant events like the Isra and Mi'raj...
Artist Portraits
Ayman Baalbaki: Between Memory and Chaos Expressionism
Feb 12, 2025
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7 minutes read
Ayman Baalbaki is a contemporary Lebanese painter whose artistic universe combines passion, memory and commitment, exploring the dimensions of conflict and identity through expressive and textured works. His paintings, imbued with poetry and love for his country, capture the scars of war, urban reconstruction and the resilience of peoples, making him a key figure in contemporary Middle Eastern art.
Art News
Johnny Depp makes $3.6 million in hours!
Jul 29, 2022
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2 minutes read
In just a few hours, Hollywood actor Johnny Depp made approximately $3.6 million from the sale of his debut art collection.