A time for textiles to shine
Firouz Farman-Farmaian talks to Artscoops about his latest collaborative project with Qashqai Iranian rug crafters, which marks a full circle moment on what has been an epic geographical and professional journey. Portrait of Firouz Farmaian by Antalya Von PreussenSince a sense of nomadism has long sat at the heart of the life and work of the...
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A face for all reasons
The Iranian artist Afarin Sajedi has garnered renown for her striking, intriguing and inspired portraits of women. Here, the director and owner of Dorothy Circus Gallery, Alexandra Mazzanti, who has curated four of Sajedi’s solo exhibitions in Italy, shares her thoughts on what sets this artist apart from her contemporaries and why her paintings...
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Amal Dagher on Nature’s Inspirational Qualities
The multi-disciplinary Lebanese artist talks to Artscoops about the infinite possibilities that the natural world offers for storytelling through art.What first prompted your interest in art and when did you decide that it was what you wanted to focus on?I’ve been interested in art as long as I can remember – certainly ever since I was a kid –...
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A past and present that diverge, dovetail and prompt dialogue
Featuring more contemporary artists than ever before and mediums often regarded as crafts, the fifth iteration of the ‘Parallel Histories’ exhibition at the Sharjah Art Museum undoubtedly has a different emphasis from its predecessors. Suheyla Takesh, Curator of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah, tells Artscoops why these shifts in focus are key...
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Venice vibe proves perfect for rising star Lana Khayat’s city debut
The Lebanese-born artist is now set to show her most abstract and intricate work to date at Abu Dhabi Art Lana Khayat’s first art exhibition in Venice inevitably delivered a multitude of memorable moments, but perhaps one of the more unexpected ones was the sense of belonging she felt on arriving in this magical global art hub.“When I landed in...
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The strength of soft power
The British-Iranian art collector Mohammed Afkhami hopes that a new, not-for-profit, free-to-use virtual museum of contemporary and modern Iranian art will offer an alternative perspective and broaden the narrative on Iran, away from the headline news. From bridging cultural divides to providing fascinating insights into societal developments,...
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A convergence of a rich past and creative present
Contemporary creativity will once again meet inclusivity and serendipity in a historic setting, when ‘Forever is Now III’, Art D’Égypte’s most ambitious project to date, opens on the Giza Plateau. Work by SpY, photo credit AFPArt enthusiasts from all walks of life will once again have the opportunity to savour an incredible selection of...
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A historic setting for pushing artistic boundaries
With two groundbreaking curatorial focuses, a landmark outdoor exhibition and a list of galleries that includes 21 first-time participants, the 2023 edition of Contemporary Istanbul, on the Tersane, once again challenges the traditional art fair format, as its Chairperson Ali Güreli explains.This year marks the 18th edition of Contemporary...
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A contemporary perspective on an age-old African custom
In ‘Dancing Around the Fire’, Artscoops’ latest online show, co-curator Hyacinthe Kouassi draws on his childhood memories to explore the impact of new technology on traditional practices. Hyacinthe with a work by Jules DissoHyacinthe Kouassi is known for putting storytelling at the heart of his art projects, so it should come as no surprise that...
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