Saudi steals show with his art of powerful themes

Presenting a new body of work with a subtly constructed educational undertone, Hafez Gallery in coordination with Ayyam Gallery organized a solo art show by the Saudi artist, Rashed Al-Shashai under the theme “Section 11”. Several citizens and expat residents attended the art exhibition and considered it to be one of a kind artwork that depicts Al Shashai’s perspective of an individual’s contradictions, fears and desires.
“Section 11” is a study of the changes in definition and beliefs in the Arab World and its effect on people’s behavior.
The artist assembled cover pages of ancient Islamic books and superimposed them with a horizontal LED installation comprising a straight line and several bifurcating branches, evocative of an airport terminal’s aerial view.
With this mixed media piece, Al Shashai alludes to the straight path of goodness that should come from personal reflection rather than from the obtuse compliance with books and publications written millennia ago. Moreover, the show also included a one-minute video called “I Choose” where the concept of free will is re-examined by showing three white fortune-telling papers on a dark background, enclosed inside a transparent box. Al Shashai in this proscribed the submissive acceptance of randomness and advocated that pro-activeness and positive thinking are imperatives for personal achievement.
Likewise, on the theme of unity, the exhibit also offered an Islamic World paper impression, a map gathering all Islamic countries into one borderless alliance. The Saudi artist transformed the ongoing conflicts into an idealized vision of the world governed by common interests, economic unity, and political harmony. Besides, through this exhibition, Al-Shashai aimed at showcasing the dramatic change in terms of thoughts and belief that the Gulf countries are experiencing.
As per the artist, education in this particular exhibition is the channel through which various stories unfold and according to him it is worthy to mention that it is important to dig the roots of history and collective narrative in order to reach the truth that can be built upon, and one that acknowledges the destructive and irreversible consequences of fundamentalism and violence.
‘Section 11’ is derived from the class that Al Shashai teaches at Al-Faisaliah School for gifted boys. His approach stands between documentation and intellectual practice, both as a teacher and a researcher. The exhibition takes a moralistic turn by placing a series of societal issues witnessed by him in the Arab world. “Rather than directing the viewer’s opinion, I opened a visual debate leading to an introspective study of the human condition, from past to present, like a lesson of spiritual discernment to finally see the world with an open outlook in this exhibition,” he said.
He added that exploring the artist’s role as a mediator between the student as a recipient of education and the curriculum as a source of enlightenment as well as to believe that education is the most important foundation of civic and civil society, the role of ‘Section 11’ exhibition contributes to the ongoing polarized discussion around education which has emerged over the past few decades.
“This small step leads to one giant leap in solving the intellectual stability in the country that has created conflicts between different thoughts,” Al-Shashai said adding “Lack of critical thinkers and awareness has disrupted the society; with such events, the youngsters get to observe the purpose of human existence and the functions of society.”
Qaswra Hafez, founder of the Hafez Gallery, said “This show lays out modern day predicaments and traces a subtle path to the understanding, in an effort to raise the level of consciousness and critical thinking among the students and Saudi youth in general, enabling them to counter terrorist propaganda.”
He appreciated Al Shashai’s work and added that his commonly known humorist reflection on socio political matters through a series of mixed media works and installations, ideologically unified despite their aesthetic diversity, and encouraged us to invite him and showcase his incredible work at Hafez Gallery.
The amazing pieces of artwork explain the lost energies that can be redirected toward enlightenment and a more honest cultural existence.
However, through observing the collection of improbable objects to which Al Shashai lends a new significance, viewers got a chance to see the current issues opposing tradition and evolution in the Arab world in the form of art. Furthermore, the exhibition guided the visitors toward deep yet hopeful changes in the Saudi landscape.
Commenting on it, one of the visitors said “Hopefully the exhibition will help in raising public awareness about the understanding of the Islamic world and education in a wider perspective.”