Sama Alshaibi: Sand Rushes In

Description

"Sama Alshaibi: Sand Rushes In," the first book by this rising artist, presents work from "Silsila," a video and photographic installation that premiered at the 2013 Venice Biennale, as well as other series. Alshaibi's lyrical multimedia work explores the landscape of conflict: the ongoing competition for land, resources and power in West Asia and North Africa, and the internal battle for control. Additional material, selected from the artist's series "Negative's Capable Hands," "Collapse" and "Thowra," is presented in the context of "Silsila," meaning "chain" or "link" in Arabic. The desert, border and body are of the geopolitical issues and histories used by the artist, linking the Arab-speaking world. Alshaibi operates between the United States and West Asia/North Africa, with much of her work inspired by and shot on site in landscapes from the western Sahara of North Africa to the eastern Arabian Desert on the edges of Iraq-highlighting the contrast between desert and oasis.

Sama Alshaibi has exhibited in numerous biennials, museums, and institutions, including at the Maldives Pavilion of the 55th Venice Biennale, 2013; Museum of Modern Art, New York; FotoFest, Houston; and the Arab World Institute, Paris. She is a Fulbright Scholar, has been an artist-in-residence at various locations worldwide, has been awarded two national teaching awards, and was granted the title of University of Arizona's 1885 Society Distinguished Scholar. Alshaibi is the chair and associate professor of photography and video art at the University of Arizona. She is represented by Ayyam Gallery. Isabella Ellaheh Hughes is an independent curator, critic, and con- tributing editor to ArtAsiaPacific. She has curated many shows internationally and is the cofounder of the Honolulu Biennial Foundation. Salwa Mikdadi is an art historian and independent curator. She is the coeditor of New Visions Arab Contemporary Art in the 21st Century, and was the curator for the first Palestinian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2009. Alfredo Cramerotti is a writer, curator, editor, and artist based in Wales. He is director of MOSTYN, the largest art gallery in Wales, and editor of the Critical Photography series published by Intellect Books.