Lawrie Shabibi Gallery has just unveiled the first solo exhibition of Saudi Arabian artist Alia Ahmad in the UAE, titled Aspects (مظاهر). This exhibition opened a new art season in dubai with a reception on Wednesday, 18 September 2024, and will run until 22 October 2024, showcasing a stunning new body of Ahmad’s paintings and watercolours. 

Alia, who was raised in Riyadh and has developed her artistic practice in various media, explores the convergence of memory, place, and landscape. Her works are deeply influenced by Riyadh's industrial and desert landscapes, blending the serenity of the desert with its rich yet sparse natural characteristics. 

Aspects, in particular, peel back the layers of the rapidly evolving environment of her hometown, where the tension between tradition and modernity plays out in one of the world's fastest-growing cities. Through abstracted floral, vegetal, and geometric forms, she creates a visual lexicon that reflects this juxtaposition. 

It is fascinating how sometimes, looking at her pieces, you don’t really understand whether it is a centre of the flower or a part of the skyscraper. The paintings convey a sense of vastness and detail at the same time. It is like looking at something beautiful and viscous with small reflections and without borders. 

In Aspects, Ahmad’s segmented compositions, marked by tonal contrasts and gestural brushwork, evoke continuous growth and evolution. Her works deconstruct the elements of her world, incorporating motifs that resemble stones, flowers, webs, or micro-structures. Square-format paintings, in particular, feature single motifs akin to fragments of textiles or wall murals, offering viewers a glimpse into her personal narrative and visual vocabulary. When you are there — don’t forget to check out the sides of each canvas, and you’ll find some surprises hidden in the overlooked parts of these squares. 

— Your paintings explore the tension between the emptiness of a place and its lush characteristics. How do you navigate this contradiction in your work, and what techniques do you use to highlight these contrasting aspects of the Saudi landscape?

— I am intrigued by the meeting point between the vast openness of the desert and the more structured agricultural fields or industrial zones. I convey this contrast using different techniques, whether in paintings or drawings on paper. Colour is a powerful tool as a blend of earthy tones paired with sharper or brighter colours in the works, reflecting both the stillness of the desert and the vibrancy of agricultural life. 

The motifs and geometric shapes from my Aspects exhibition at Lawrie Shabibi highlight these contrasts, reimagining traditional designs to capture the expansive desert alongside the lush landscapes. Through these techniques, I explore how different parts of the Saudi landscape, whether empty or full, interact in a balanced and vibrant way.

— What messages do you hope the spectators will take away from your exhibition? 

— The hope is that this exhibition will serve as a bridge, introducing a new audience to the rich and varied tradition of Saudi Arabian art, as well as the captivating landscapes that define the region. By highlighting the nuances that are not addressed by simply showing the topography of the region. 

The artworks in Aspects aspire to evoke a sense of dialogue and curiosity, encouraging viewers to explore the broader artistic traditions and landscapes of the Kingdom. 

This show with Lawrie Shabibi marks my first solo exhibition in Dubai, a city known for its dynamic and diverse art community. Both regions, while distinct in their cultural histories, share a common thread of innovation and a deep respect for tradition. The UAE holds a unique connection to Saudi Arabia, not just geographically but culturally as well. The proximity between the two places creates a natural bridge for artistic and cultural exchanges. While each has its own distinct identity, there are shared threads in traditions, values, and the region’s deep-rooted appreciation for art, design, and innovation. 

Allowing me to engage with audiences who are both familiar with and curious about Saudi culture, while also contributing to the broader conversation of Middle Eastern art on the global stage.

Gaze at these beautiful pieces from 18 of September till 22 October 2024 in Lawrie Shabibi Gallery located in Alserkal Avenue in our lovely Al Quoz.