Multicultural identities within Saudi Arabia were challenged in the “Bodies as Landscapes” showcase at the second cycle of the Intermix Residency program. The event, held by the Visual Arts and Fashion Commissions, was a safe space for artists to share personal stories and discuss themes such as displacement, immigration, and belonging. The two-day residency aimed to encourage artists to innovate, transform, and create sustainable art that bridged gaps between various disciplines. Tara Al-Dughaither, the curator of the program, said that it is important for artists to embrace their identities before moving on to larger conceptual spaces. The showcase displayed the works of several artists, including Tra My Nguyen, Hatem Al-Ahmad, and Maria Florencia Carranza.
Visual artist and photographer Somaya Fallatah presented a series of self-portraits taken to explore her Nigerian heritage and culture. Fallatah’s studio was draped with fabrics printed with Nigerian designs and collected over the years, some passed down from family members. Fallatah used the fabrics to explore her heritage and had some of the other residents drape them around her, as if she were seated within the cloth’s embrace, all documented in a series also displayed on the studio’s walls.
Interdisciplinary artist Tamara Kalo presented “Grounding Alysar,” a performative multimedia video deconstructing the idea of home and displacement. The artist used found pieces of fabric to create a rope the length of her childhood compound’s parameters. The story is in conversation with Alysar, the Queen of Tyre, or modern-day Lebanon. In the video, her mother wraps the rope, measured using the length of the artist’s arm, around her daughter.
As a textile designer, Khadija Arif presented the hurdles of a new chapter in her life in the shape of a gown titled “Hool,” embellished with six types of flora found in the region: cactus, lily, jasmine, goldenrod, marigold, and baby’s-breath. The flowers are a qualitative piece within the mosaic of her journey, with cacti symbolizing hardships, and marigolds standing for protection and support.
In the curator’s words, “Saudi is a diverse place, and the diversity makes us special. Personal narratives, in general, are important themes in all of my work.” The program provides a beautiful container for cultural exchange of ideas and techniques, inspiring artists to reflect on their practices and the topics and ideas they are interested in. The showcase displays a deep and meaningful exploration of identity and belonging, providing a platform for artists to connect with their personal narratives and share their stories.
