About this item
Highlights
- Work by artists from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), interviews and first-hand accounts form the core of this book about the development of the country's art history.
- About the Author: Sophie Kazan Makhlouf (PhD) is an art and architectural historian.
- 156 Pages
- Art, Art & Politics
Description
About the Book
Work by artists from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), interviews and first-hand accounts form the core of this book about the development of the country's art history. Learning about artists and seeing how their practices fit into global art historical discourses can help viewers gain insight into an art not made to be understood.Book Synopsis
Work by artists from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), interviews and first-hand accounts form the core of this book about the development of the country's art history. Learning about artists and seeing how their practices fit into global art historical discourses can help viewers gain insight into an art not made to be understood.Review Quotes
This publication will stand as a benchmark in the chronicling of the Emirati art scene and its artists and of the contribution made by both to the UAE national brand and wider cultural landscape- Canvas
'A thought-provoking text that explores the UAE's art history from before the birth of the nation to the early 2020s, highlighting its fascinating pioneering potential. Richly documented and illustrated, Sophie Kazan Makhlouf's insightful work provides the retrospective needed to better understand the ongoing development of a distinct Emirati art practice.' - Manuel Rabaté, Director, Louvre Abu Dhabi
'As a designer who constantly crosses culture between the Arab world and the West, this is an important book for people (Emiratis, Arabs and non-Arabs) interested in global art and creativity outside of the accepted Western traditions. A new way of seeing!' - Rana Salam, Founder & Art Director of Rana Salam Design Studio, Beirut
'From Sheikh Zayed's "curated" national branding to Hassan Sharif, the father of conceptual art in the Gulf, and the influential Sharjah Biennale, Sophie Kazan's The Development of An Art History in the UAE is the first book to chart the formation of Emirati identity through art and visual culture.' - Malu Halasa, writer, critic and literary editor of The Markaz Review
'This volume is an essential guide for anyone interested in learning about the UAE's unique, and very dynamic cultural landscape, whose impact extends far beyond the country's borders. The book offers a wealth of perspectives from key practitioners in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, and outlines some of the most significant artistic and institutional histories of the UAE.' - Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, Founder of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah; Instructor at the American University of Sharjah; and Research Associate at SOAS Middle East Institute, London
At just over 100 pages, of clearly defined chapters and maps, the book is directly pitched to help readers grasp the meaning and relevance of art from the UAE. - The Markaz Review
The question of the polarity between Emirati traditions and a globalised world drives the book. Calligraphy is also given prominence, and Kazan Makhlouf shows the way that these cultural forms saturate daily life in a way that "visual art" does not.-The National
Through conversations with Emirati artists and a range of analyses of their creations from across disciplines - calligraphy, painting, photography - Makhlouf's work doesn't merely uncover, but brings to life an art scene that predates the UAE's formation in 1971. [...] For collectors, students and art enthusiasts alike, Makhlouf's book fills a needed gap into artistic discourse, challenging how our preconceived biases of settings shape our understanding of art and its cultural significance. - SceneNow
The Markaz Review
The National News
About the Author
Sophie Kazan Makhlouf (PhD) is an art and architectural historian. She is an Honorary Fellow of the University of Leicester and currently lectures at the University of Falmouth. She regularly contributes to academic journals, art magazines and podcasts.