Paintings by Chant AvedissianFeaturing: Basel Abbas & Ruanne Abou-Rahme, Chant Avedissian, Ayman Baalbaki, Fathi Hassan, and Raeda Saadeh.  

Curated by Rose Issa. Arabicity (Fri 2 July - Sun 5 September) introduces six contemporary artists from the Arab World who explore their cultural heritage from unique perspectives, expressing what they find in unexpected and emotive ways. The exhibition is about representations of the self, projecting and protecting one’s own image and personal iconography. By presenting the artists together, the exhibition also addresses contemporary Arab concerns, conceptual and asethetic. The manner in which the artists negotiate and mediate between various cultural codes and practices is one full of warmth, humour and poetry.

Palestinian video and sound artist Basel Abbas and artist/film-maker Ruanne Abou-Rahme collaborate on projects that express contradictions and disruptions of the Palestinian experience. Using images of the past and present, they examine the relationship between the actual, imagined and remembered.  

Egyptian-Armenian artist Chant Avedissian has a huge international following for his enchanting, funny, nostalgic and exquisitely painted stencils of popular icons from the Arab World, be they princes, pop stars, politicians or the man on the street.

Lebanese painter and installation artist Ayman Baalbaki is in residence at the Bluecoat for summer 2010 producing new commissioned work. He observes the impact of Lebanon’s long civil war and the bewildering change it brought about. Yet within his apocalyptic world of destroyed cityscapes, snipers and checkpoints, flowers are found amongst the ruins – a sign that beauty can take root in the most hostile circumstances.

By playing with the symbols, textures and calligraphy of his Nubian ancestry, Sudanese-Egyptian multi-media artist Fathi Hassan explores nature, nurture and the relationship between the written and spoken word. His installation of 99 small paintings of sand on canvas reflect his current sources of inspiration and his personal list of places and artists who are relevant to him.

Palestinian photographer Raeda Saadeh is the Cindy Sherman of the Middle East, questioning gender and identity by posing in scenes from famous paintings or staging her own witty tableaux. Her video work, “Vacuum” is a contemporary take on the myth of Sisyphus, set in the desert near her hometown.

Galleries are open 10.00 - 18.00 daily.

Related events:
Sat 3 July - Artist talk: Arabicity Such A Near East - Curator, Rose Issa will lead  the artists in a discussion.
From Sat 10 July - Saturday Exhibition Tours

Arabicity: Such a Near East is presented in partnership with the Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival, an annual celebration of Arabic Arts and Culture. For more information on the events and exhibitions taking place at the Bluecoat during the festival click here.