Art for art’s sake or just décor?

Recently I went to an art exhibition by a group of Saudi women at a renowned gallery in Jeddah with a female relative of mine. As usual, I enjoyed myself immensely. When I travel, I take great pleasure in visiting art museums and private galleries to view and enjoy art. It is also double the pleasure for me to attend art exhibitions by Saudi artist. Saudi art has come a long way in the past two decades, despite the fact that we do not have official fine art schools and colleges in the Kingdom. Most Saudi artists have either studied abroad, as I have done, or are self-taught and have a natural artistic talent. Some attend art classes at small private museums and institutes, such as Darat Safeya Binzagar in Jeddah, owned and run by the famous Ms. Safeya Binzagar, who is the pioneer of Saudi female art since the late sixties. I had taken my relative to the art exhibition to educate her about original art, made by real Saudi artist, and not mere copiers of Orientalist art. We looked at each piece carefully, while I gave her the benefit of my art education. I took great care in explaining to her each artist’s message, the art materials that were used as there was a pleasant variety of mediums and techniques, and also gave her my own critic of each painting in terms of aesthetics, artistic references if any, and their technical stan dards. After we had finished our tour, and I had exhausted myself by being the enthusiastic guide, my cousin made a comment about the prices of the paintings.” They are certainly not cheap!” she exclaimed.” Of course they are not. They are originals after all; each painting is a unique piece, made by a unique artist. It’s an investment,” I replied. “Yes, but…Not only are they expensive, but none of them go with my house’s décor!” she continued to argue. “OK so you don’t have to buy, just enjoy their beauty,” I said. “Some of them are lovely, I don’t deny that. But come! Let’s go to this furniture store I know that sells really nice decorative paintings for as little as 250 riyals!” she exclaimed as she dragged me out of the gallery. “But these are massed produced! Probably made in China!” I said exasperated. “Who cares!” she replied. * Sigh *….. maha.mufti@arabnews.com