Through Their Eyes: Perspectives Unveiled

Curated by Hayaty Diaries

Artists
Yasmina Hilal, Farah Foudeh, Mays Al Moosawi, Nour Ammar, Amira Nazer, Huda Jamal, Sara Benabdallah, Kinda Adly, and Aliyah Alawadhi

Date
29th November to 4th December, 2023

Location
gallery@oxo, London

Through Their Eyes, presented by Hayaty Diaries, is a collective exhibition featuring nine emerging women artists from various corners of the Arab World, spanning Morocco, Jordan, Oman, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. These talented artists express their creative visions through a diverse range of mediums, including photography, painting, collage, sculpture, and installation.

Inspired by the theme of viewer perspective, each artist delves into the profound question of where the true meaning of art resides – whether it lies within the artwork itself, discovered through the gaze of the observer, or revealed through the very eyes of its creator. This question holds deep significance for Arab women artists, whose personal narratives are intricately woven into the fabric of cultural and societal influences, often shaped by the legacies of colonial histories and the impact of Western "othering."

These women artists embody a new era of creativity in the region, one that knows no bounds and fearlessly pushes artistic frontiers. Through their eyes and resonant voices, they extend their hearts and souls to the world, sharing not only their intimate stories but also the tales of the women who came before them. In doing so, they demonstrate the innate power they possess as women creators within their distinctive contexts, bridging the past with the present while simultaneously shaping the future of Arab art.

Special thanks to Megan Vogel and Annabel Yoe