[gallery td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="26248,26247,26246,26245"] Mariam Nihal Saudi Gazette "Paper Conversation", a solo exhibition for Saudi Artist Raeda Ashour, alongside a group exhibition by various artists, is now open to public at Hafez gallery in Jeddah. Born in Jeddah in 1958, Ashour's work has evolved from her study of oriental and Islamic culture. Her works are modest, using pastel colors, patterns and designs that remain embedded in simplicity. Ashour is specialized in miniatures, motifs and Islamic units but her works also display a contemporary element in the way they are displayed with ease and appeasing colors. 'Paper Conversation' is held in collaboration with Agial Art Gallery, Naila, Athr and Cube Arts Gallery. Other participating artists include Lulwah Al Homoud, Fahad Al Niymah, Tarfa Fahad, Afsoon, Mohammed Al Ajlan, Nasser Al Salem, Jean Bagoussian, Fadia Haddad, Miriam Londono, Abdulrahman Katanani, Filwa Nazer and Hala Schoukair. Invented by the Chinese and industrialized in the Islamic Empire, Paper has long been the medium of communication of men, of ideas and of art & artists; reflecting character and time. The raw surface of paper itself is a dialogue between fibres and minerals, creating textures and patterns between context and techniques. Using the subtle art of observation, artists have captured the many depths and layers of paper-based cultural artifacts such as prints, drawings and photographs. Artists have chosen paper to forge, fabricate and convey messages of beauty, elegance and ethereal intricacies, challenging us to take a deeper look at what can be seen. As paper slowly loses its imperative in a digital world, the contemporary art scene in the region has witnessed a decline in the use of traditional paper art as various other techniques and mediums have gained ground. Understanding this, the artists exhibited here have chosen to answer this dilemma by showing that paper still has relevance to our world today. Each work is a subjective interpretation of its perspective and experimental approach. Remaining true to their inheritance, they have retained the use of paper as a medium of their art, as calligraphers, collage workers and drawers giving it a contemporary and modern feel. This juxtaposition between traditional and modern art is the basis for the dialogue in the exhibition, as these artists push the boundaries on paper of their artistic process. Location: 3rd Floor Bougainvillea, King Abdulaziz Road, Next to Stars Avenue. Jeddah. Telephone: +966 12 6134111
