Emirati artist Rami Farook on his Jeddah solo show ‘A Muslim Man’: ‘This is a living exhibition’ 

Emirati artist Rami Farook on his Jeddah solo show ‘A Muslim Man’: ‘This is a living exhibition’ 
‘The Siege of Jeddah/A Determined Defense’  by Rami Farook. (Supplied)
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Updated 31 January 2025
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Emirati artist Rami Farook on his Jeddah solo show ‘A Muslim Man’: ‘This is a living exhibition’ 

Emirati artist Rami Farook on his Jeddah solo show ‘A Muslim Man’: ‘This is a living exhibition’ 

JEDDAH: Rami Farook’s solo exhibition ‘A Muslim Man,’ which runs at Jeddah’s ATHR Gallery until March 25, is a deeply personal sequel of sorts to a film he made in 2015, and traces the evolution of his life, identity and creative practice over the past decade.  

The original project, a 64-minute conceptual feature comprising 16 vignettes, has now been reimagined as a labyrinth-like multimedia experience featuring 85 pieces, each of which is based on a scene from that film. 

The self-taught Emirati artist was 20 in 2001 when he lost his best friend. Four months later, while living in the US, the events of 9/11 drastically altered his life. As a Muslim, Arab-looking man, he recalls: “I became noticed, vilified… it shifted everything.” These events inspired a deeper exploration of his faith and identity, themes that are central to this show. 

“It’s about a Muslim man’s relationship with God, self, society and family,” he tells Arab News. 

Following the events of Oct. 7, 2023, and the outbreak of genocidal violence in Palestine, Farook turned to painting as a coping mechanism. “I painted daily, summarizing the news,” he says. This renewed urgency also shaped the exhibition’s tone. The ‘Muslim Man’ is portrayed as both a victim and a hero.  

Farook describes the show as “an immersive, intermedia experience.” It is his first attempt at blending multiple mediums into one cohesive journey. “For me, this was a fun curatorial process, way more magical than just watching the film,” he says. 

The “docufictional” exhibition is structured like a film, however, and unfolds across seven sections: context, protagonist, cause of conflict, conflict, response to conflict, climax, and moral, Farook explains. 

Here, he talks us through several works from the show.

 

‘Aerial View’ 

This is the poster for the show; the reason I like it as the poster is you can look at it in any of the seven sections I mentioned earlier — context, protagonist, cause of conflict, conflict, response to conflict, climax, and moral — and it could be in any of them. The character is a Muslim man. This shot presents him as a hero — because we’ve seen the villain side too many times in the last 25 years or more. This show is showing the other side. He’s on a ladder that looks like it’s not in the greatest shape. The village he’s looking at: is it alive? Is it dead? There’s the mystery. And whether he is looking to see what’s going on to eventually maybe protect it, we don’t know. So there’s a lot of mystery.  

 

‘Caring for His Father’ 

This is a closeup of me holding my dad’s hand. He wears white, I wear black. My dad cannot see; he lost around 50 percent of his eyesight in the last 40 years, and then he lost another maybe 40 percent in the last four or five years. He just sees light at this point. So, I care for him, especially recently. And I just felt like I wanted it to be here. This exhibition is docufictional — it can be about me, but it’s also general. 

 

‘Alone’ 

I made a mattress that’s exactly my height, my width and my depth. It literally just fits me. It’s the idea that rest, contemplation… it all happens lying down in bed. Later, I thought it also kind of looks like a casket. Originally, it was going to have a fitted sheet or a cover, and a pillow; I made a pillow that’s just the size of my head. I try to strip things down as much as possible to just the absolute basics. Maybe I’ll add it later. This is a living exhibition; I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up adding things later — there are some things here that weren’t planned. 

 

‘The Siege of Jeddah/A Determined Defense’  

This captures the moment the Portuguese tried to invade Jeddah. The commander at the time, they put up a determined defense for about 30 to 35 days. It’s significant to showcase it here because there’s only two works in the show that are Jeddah-specific. So for me, it’s beautiful. Jeddah is a city that I love very much. It makes you wonder, if the Portuguese did occupy Jeddah, how everything would be different now. 

 

‘Allah So Determined And Did As He Willed’ 

This, honestly, is a (phrase) that is my cure to any worry. We all look back at our lives — especially at the big things that we invested time, money, or whatever, into, and we could always ask: how could we guarantee that things — business, relationships, or anything — would have been better if we changed something? This phrase actually helps me to not live with regrets. 


Football star Mohamed Salah’s daughter stars in Ramadan TV series

Football star Mohamed Salah’s daughter stars in Ramadan TV series
Updated 25 February 2025
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Football star Mohamed Salah’s daughter stars in Ramadan TV series

Football star Mohamed Salah’s daughter stars in Ramadan TV series

DUBAI: Liverpool FC star Mohamed Salah’s daughter Makka is set to make her on- screen debut in Egyptian Ramadan TV series “Kamel El Adad 3.”

Born in 2014 in London, Makka’s role in the series was announced by director Khaled El-Halafawy, though details about her guest appearance remain under wraps.

The show is returning for its third season this Ramadan and sees stars Dina El-Sherbiny and Sherif Salama as Layla, a woman working in the cosmetics industry, and her husband Ahmed Mokhtar, a cosmetic surgeon. They live with eight children and the series follows the trials and tribulations faced by the household.

The Egyptian footballer surprised the cast of the show with a video call during filming, according to ET Bil Arabi.

Othe cast members include actors Hussein Fahmy, Engy al-Mokadem, Mariam al-Khost, Youssef Omar, and Amr Saleh.

Salah and his wife Magi share two daughers, Makka and Kayan, who was born in 2020.


Nora Attal stuns at Burberry’s Winter 2025 show

Nora Attal stuns at Burberry’s Winter 2025 show
Updated 25 February 2025
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Nora Attal stuns at Burberry’s Winter 2025 show

Nora Attal stuns at Burberry’s Winter 2025 show

LONDON: British Moroccan model Nora Attal turned heads this week at Burberry’s Winter 2025 showcase, held on Monday at London’s Tate Britain. 

She donned a long black faux fur coat, cinched at the waist with a belt, with an oversized silhouette. Underneath, the catwalk star wore a matching set consisting of a brown collared top and coordinating trousers, which peeked from beneath the coat. The sleeves of the top extend slightly beyond the coat’s cuffs. The outfit was completed with brown heels.

She donned a long black faux fur coat, cinched at the waist with a belt. (Getty Images)

A star-studded cast including Naomi Campbell; actors Lesley Manville, Richard E. Grant, and Elizabeth McGovern; and Lila Moss, daughter of supermodel Kate Moss, modelled creative director Daniel Lee's fifth collection for the British brand.

Besides Attal’s coat, Burberry’s winter 2025 collection also featured leather trench coats, velvet brocade suits and equestrian styles like jodhpur trousers and high leather boots.

The catwalk was carpeted in bright blue, a colour Lee has made his trademark at Burberry, and the museum's neoclassical architecture was complemented by drapes with an impressionist prints inspired by great British landscape artists.

A star-studded cast including Naomi Campbell  modelled creative director Daniel Lee's fifth collection for the British brand. (Getty Images)

The collection’s color palette of warm browns, greys and taupe also evoked the British countryside, with some red and yellow accents.

Jacquard-woven trenches and brocade jackets were inspired by the tapestries and wallpaper of stately homes, with silk pyjama shirts and trousers evoking domesticity.

“It’s that great Friday night exodus from London to the countryside for long rainy walks and to disconnect in the great outdoors,” Lee said of his inspiration for the collection.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Burberry (@burberry)

Accessories included oversized scarves with chunky fringes and leather boots featuring Burberry's signature check.

It is the second show since CEO Joshua Schulman took the reins at Burberry and began implementing a new strategy focused on outerwear, scarves, and marketing the brand’s British heritage in a bid to turn sales around.

In keeping with its renewed emphasis on scarves, Burberry sent each guest a dark green and navy check scarf along with their invitation.

It was the closing show of London Fashion Week, the second leg of the Autumn/Winter 2025 catwalk calendar, which began in New York and will go to Milan and Paris.


Nadim Karam talks Japanese inspiration, realities of artistic work 

Nadim Karam talks Japanese inspiration, realities of artistic work 
Updated 25 February 2025
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Nadim Karam talks Japanese inspiration, realities of artistic work 

Nadim Karam talks Japanese inspiration, realities of artistic work 

DUBAI: Fresh off a group exhibition in Dubai, titled “The Sublime Nature of Being,” Arab News spoke to Lebanese artist and architect Nadim Karam about his inspirations, the power of mentorship and the “beating clock in the upper pocket of (his) shirt.”
The multi-disciplinary creative focuses on sculptures in varying scales, as well as works on paper and site-specific public art projects. 

The multi-disciplinary creative focuses on sculptures in varying scales. (Supplied)


He most recently took part Dubai-based exhibition “The Sublime Nature of Being,” a collaboration with ICD Brookfield Arts program, where he showcased his polished stainless steel “Silent Thinker.”
“‘Silent Thinker’ is about total silence, or the inner void that strives to reach the sublime… the clarity found in inward silence is both oppositional and complementary to the stimulus and inspiration that can be found in the thriving, multi-cultural scene of Dubai,” he explained. 
Karam’s formative years in Lebanon and his doctoral studies in Japan continue to be defining influences in his work. He studied under Japanese architects Fumihiko Maki, Tadao Ando, and Hiroshi Hara, who died in January. 


“Professor Hara… profoundly influenced my thinking process. The most critical thing I learned from him is the discipline of applying a philosophical concept to a creative process and coming up with a product, which could be an architectural building, a sculpture or a designed object,” Karam said. 
“Through his diverse studies — Buddhist philosophies and the double negation of Arazu-Arazu, his research on villages worldwide, and his deep interest in mathematics, music and cosmology — he taught me to widen my vision of the world and continuously ‘move on the edge of loose boundaries’ for a better understanding and acceptance of the complex world around me.”

(Supplied)


Hara, the architect known for designing Kyoto Station Building and Osaka’s Umeda Sky Building, is the mind behind award-winning buildings including the Tasaki Museum of Art in Nagano Prefecture and Yamato International Inc.’s Tokyo office in Ota Ward in Japan.
Karam’s paintings and sculptures have been exhibited worldwide and in 2002, he co-chaired the UN/New York University conference in London for the reconstruction of Kabul, Afghanistan. 
When donning his curator’s hat — Karam was Lebanon’s curator at the 2003 Rotterdam Biennale, among other showcases — he believes his role is to facilitate the artist’s vision. 

(Supplied)


“I would give priority to the artist, being one myself! When the artist has given their fullest, the work should touch the visitor. In the process of the development of a work, the most important thing is to be true to oneself, irrelevant of any other consideration. Then the curator’s role is to put the works in the context of the where, how, and what,” he explained. 
With such a diverse schedule, it is a wonder the artist has time to himself to work — the ticking clock is something Karam says he is mindful of.
“The beating clock in the upper pocket of my shirt is always pushing me forward, sending me warnings and scheduling my work; especially in the case of the production of sculptures and public art projects which necessitates a complex structured mechanism which can involve hundreds of people, depending on the scale and nature of the work,” he said, noting that writing and painting are creative outlets that offer him the chance to slow down.
“During these times when I am alone, even the notion of the clock disappears, and only the painting remains.”


From Ashi Studio to Elie Saab, Arab designers dress stars at SAG Awards

From Ashi Studio to Elie Saab, Arab designers dress stars at SAG Awards
Updated 24 February 2025
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From Ashi Studio to Elie Saab, Arab designers dress stars at SAG Awards

From Ashi Studio to Elie Saab, Arab designers dress stars at SAG Awards

DUBAI: From Ashi Studio to Elie Saab, Arab designers dressed a handful of celebrities at Hollywood's Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

Saudi designer Mohammed Ashi dressed US actress Ali Ahn, who stars in Netflix’s “The Diplomat.” Ahn stepped out in a cream, sculptural look from the Paris-based designer who helms haute couture label Ashi Studio.

Ali Ahn stepped out in a cream, sculptural look from the Paris-based designer who helms haute couture label Ashi Studio. (Getty Images)

Ahn’s “The Diplomat” co-star Keri Russell attended the ceremony in an all-black look by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad, hailing from his Fall/Winter 2024 ready-to-wear collection. The fitted gown featured a deep sweetheart neckline and thigh-high slit, as well as detailing on one shoulder.

Keri Russell attended the ceremony in an all-black look by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad. (Getty Images)

Lebanon was also represented by designer Elie Saab, who dressed Kaitlyn Dever, Leighton Meester and Sofia Carson.

Singer and actress Carson continued her love affair with powerhouse Lebanese designers with the SAG Awards appearance, months after she showed off looks by Elie Saab and Zuhair Murad during international performances alongside legendary Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli.

On Sunday, Carson opted for a baby pink gown from Saab’s Spring/ Summer 2025 couture line, complete with an elegant train and elegant draping over one shoulder.

Sofia Carson opted for a baby pink gown from Saab’s Spring/ Summer 2025 couture line. (Getty Images)

Meester also picked her look from one of Saab’s 2025 collections, but the TV star chose a column gown from his Spring/ Summer 2025 ready-to-wear line. The Lebanese designer’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection was inspired by the “sun-soaked savannah,” according to show notes, and this look was no exception.

Crafted from raffia-style fabric, the look harked back to safari wear without falling into tired cliches.

Meanwhile, “Ticket to Paradise” actress Dever showed off a peach-toned column gown with paillettes across the length of the dress.

US actress Marissa Bode shone a spotlight on Lebanese Italian designer Tony Ward. (Getty Images)

US actress Marissa Bode shone a spotlight on Lebanese Italian designer Tony Ward by opting for a ballgown from his Spring/ Summer 2025 collection. The gown featured an exaggerated Cinderella-style skirt with embellishments across the length of the dark tulle.


REVIEW: ‘Starbound’ makes long-awaited console debut on Xbox

REVIEW: ‘Starbound’ makes long-awaited console debut on Xbox
Updated 24 February 2025
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REVIEW: ‘Starbound’ makes long-awaited console debut on Xbox

REVIEW: ‘Starbound’ makes long-awaited console debut on Xbox

LONDON: After years of being a PC favorite, “Starbound” finally launched on Xbox in October 2024, bringing its expansive sandbox adventure to a new audience.

With a follow-up quality-of-life update in December and a further boost by joining Xbox Game Pass in January, “Starbound” has the potential to reach more players than ever before. So, does this indie classic translate well to console gaming, or is it still best experienced on PC?

At its core, “Starbound” is a sandbox exploration game that lets players carve out their own journey among the stars. You begin by selecting a species (purely cosmetic in nature), escape from a doomed planet, and set off on an intergalactic adventure where you build, craft, explore and fight for survival. Unlike many crafting-based games, “Starbound” is not a grind-heavy experience; instead, it encourages creativity and discovery, providing an incredibly deep crafting system without forcing players into repetitive mechanics.

The game’s world is procedurally generated, meaning you will never run out of planets to visit. Each world has its own biomes, wildlife, and secrets to uncover. Some planets feel hospitable and lush, while others are barren and harsh, requiring players to adapt and prepare before diving into the unknown.

While “Starbound” features a central story involving the mysterious gate unlocked with Core Fragments, it does not force a linear progression — players are free to explore, build, and conquer at their own pace.

Despite its simple, pixel-art aesthetic, “Starbound” hides a surprising amount of complexity beneath the surface. Its crafting system is one of the deepest in the genre, allowing players to build everything from cozy homes to high-tech colonies. However, new players might find the initial learning curve steep. Navigation, especially on a controller, takes some getting used to, and the depth of options can feel overwhelming at first. That said, starting on Casual mode is highly recommended for beginners, because it removes some of the harsher survival elements and allows players to focus on exploration.

Combat in “Starbound” is an interesting mix of melee and ranged attacks, combined with energy management. Different weapons and abilities change the flow of combat, making it varied and engaging, although the game is not primarily focused on combat mechanics. Instead, survival and creativity take center stage.

Despite its simple, pixel-art aesthetic, “Starbound” hides a surprising amount of complexity beneath the surface. (Supplied)

While “Starbound” has made a mostly smooth transition to Xbox, it is clear that the game still feels as if it was designed primarily for PC. The user interface and navigation are not as intuitive with a controller as they are with a mouse and keyboard, making some menu-heavy interactions feel cumbersome. However, once you get used to the controls, the experience is still rewarding.

“Starbound” on Xbox is a welcome addition to the console’s indie lineup, offering a massive sandbox experience with nearly endless replayability. While the game’s PC origins are evident, patient players will find a rewarding and immersive world to explore.

If you enjoy sandbox crafting games and do not mind a bit of a learning curve, “Starbound” is well worth a try — especially now that it is on Game Pass.