Are women artists in the Middle East politicised?
Art is a window for political and social issues. As far as I am concerned, I feel that one who lives an injustice or oppression is more able to express it through art than somebody who observes it. That’s why you can see so many Arab and Iranian women artists speaking out through different mediums about their social conditions. But our show isn’t about that, even though we have selected some who express strong political statements, like Shadi Ghadirian. We have chosen to represent some of the most reputable artists from Bahrain as well as respected artists from the rest of the region. In other words, we’ll be showcasing the works of 10 women that are at different stages of their artistic lives and with different social backgrounds, to display what really moves them in this world. Beirut has traditionally been one of the focal points of Middle Eastern art. Is this shifting? If so, where to and why? Beirut has always been and, in some respects, will certainly remain the creative nest of
