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. 


Artist Massoud Hayoun’s London exhibition ‘Stateless’ explores identity, exile

Artist Massoud Hayoun’s London exhibition ‘Stateless’ explores identity, exile
Updated 20 min 17 sec ago
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Artist Massoud Hayoun’s London exhibition ‘Stateless’ explores identity, exile

Artist Massoud Hayoun’s London exhibition ‘Stateless’ explores identity, exile

DUBAI: Los Angeles-based artist and author Massoud Hayoun has spent his career exploring identity, exile and resistance. 

His latest exhibition, “Stateless,” running at London’s Larkin Durey art gallery until June 27, is an exploration of control, culture and community.

His paintings are imbued with the legacy of his Egyptian and Tunisian Jewish heritage. (Supplied)

Raised by his grandparents, Hayoun paints their stories of exile, love and resilience in shades of blue, blending personal narratives with icons of Arab cinema and song to highlight shared cultural memories. 

His paintings are imbued with the legacy of his Egyptian and Tunisian Jewish heritage, but they also reach beyond his own family’s history. His grandfather left Egypt, and his mother was born without citizenship — experiences that deeply inform his work. 

In “Stateless,” he extends this exploration of displacement and belonging to other communities, particularly Palestinians and undocumented Americans, he told Arab News. “In this show, you’ll find people suspended between homeland and refuge, suspended in mid-air, suspended between life and death and living out a sort of existentialist heroism, suspended in undying romance,” he said.

Hayoun’s journey to painting was shaped by his background in journalism. (Supplied)

Hayoun’s journey to painting was shaped by his background in journalism. A former journalist, he is also the author of “When We Were Arabs,” a book on Arab identity that won an Arab American Book Award and was named a National Public Radio best book of the year in 2019. 

His transition from writing to painting was a natural evolution. “I am a figurative painter — I paint people. My journalism was animated by a love of people and a desire to better understand, through interviews like this, people from walks of life drastically different to my own,” he said.

His use of blue is deliberate. Initially reserved for people who had died, the color now engulfs all his subjects, evoking the transient nature of identity and existence. “At first, I only painted my grandparents and other dead people in shades of blue, because to my mind, the glow of it seemed ghostly. I cast other people in different colors to signify other states of being. Eventually, after reflections on time, everyone became blue, even myself,” he said.

The artist's use of blue is deliberate. Initially reserved for people who had died, the color now engulfs all his subjects.  (Supplied)

Yet, at its core, Hayoun’s work is about more than politics — it is about love. “These works touch on sweeping political, philosophical and sociological issues, but they are fundamentally about love for people,” he said. 

“They are meant in the way my grandparents expressed anxiety as a kind of love—fear for my well-being, fervent hopes that I live well and in dignity. These paintings are explosions of love,” he added. 


Rami Al-Ali becomes first Syrian designer to join France’s Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode

Rami Al-Ali becomes first Syrian designer to join France’s Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode
Updated 04 June 2025
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Rami Al-Ali becomes first Syrian designer to join France’s Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode

Rami Al-Ali becomes first Syrian designer to join France’s Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode

DUBAI: Rami Al-Ali has become the first Syrian designer to join France’s prestigious Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode as a guest member, giving him the chance to showcase his Autumn/Winter 2025 collection on the official haute couture calendar.

The invitation signifies Al-Ali’s entry into fashion’s upper echelons — to qualify, fashion houses must meet rigorous “haute couture” or “high fashion” standards and the title is legally protected under French law.

Al-Ali joins the likes of Chanel, Dior, and Schiaparelli on the official calendar next month. His latest collection will be presented on July 10, according to the provisional calendar.

It is a “historical milestone, celebrating a lifelong devotion to craftsmanship, culture, and creative expression, rooted in heritage and elevated by vision,” the fashion house posted on Instagram.

Originally from Damascus, Al-Ali honed his fashion skills in Dubai and Beirut before founding his label, Rami Al-Ali Couture, in 2001.

His creations have been worn by a variety of celebrities, including Amal Clooney, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez, and Jessica Chastain.

Al-Ali’s work has been praised for seamlessly blending his Middle Eastern heritage with Western sensibilities. He is known for designing flowing silhouettes adorned with intricate, playful embellishments—creations that are both timeless and runway-worthy.

Al-Ali is one of just a handful of Arab designers on the official haute couture calendar. The lineup also includes Lebanese designers Georges Hobeika, Elie Saab, and Zuhair Murad, as well as Saudi couturier Mohammed Ashi.  

Ashi, founder of Paris-based label Ashi Studio, became the first designer from the Gulf region to join the exclusive group in 2023 as a guest member. His designs have also been worn by global celebrities such as Beyonce, Anna Kendrick, and Jennifer Hudson.

“This appointment is the highlight of my career,” Ashi said in a statement posted on Instagram when the announcement was made in 2023. “I will honor it in the memory of the great couturiers who came before me and whom I now join in the pursuit of this grand tradition of excellence in creativity and savoir-faire. 

 


Huda Kattan reclaims full ownership of Huda Beauty

Huda Kattan reclaims full ownership of Huda Beauty
Updated 03 June 2025
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Huda Kattan reclaims full ownership of Huda Beauty

Huda Kattan reclaims full ownership of Huda Beauty

DUBAI: Huda Kattan announced on Tuesday that she regained full ownership of Huda Beauty, the brand she founded in 2013, following the end of an eight-year partnership with private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners.

In 2017, TSG acquired a minority stake in Huda Beauty. As of 2025, Kattan has bought back that equity, making the brand fully independent once again and one of the few major beauty companies that is 100 percent founder-owned.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Huda (@huda)

“Taking back full ownership of Huda Beauty is a deeply very important moment for me,” said Kattan. “It says that while many of us dreamers have visions that we are told are too big or not possible to do alone, in actuality, you have all the power you need to change the world yourself! This brand was built on passion, creativity, and a desire to challenge the beauty industry. As we step into this new chapter, I’m more committed than ever to pushing boundaries, staying true to our roots, and showing up for our incredible community every step of the way.”

Kattan, who serves as founder and co-CEO, now leads the company alongside her husband Christopher Goncalo, also co-CEO, and her sister Alya Kattan, who oversees social strategy.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Huda (@huda)

Kattan is recognized as a Fortune 40 Under 40 honoree, one of Forbes’ Self-Made Women in the US, and one of Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Businesswomen in the Middle East, as well as a TIME100 Impact Awards recipient and one of TIME’s 25 Most Influential People on the Internet. 

Her brand is known for a number of cult-favorite products, including the Easy Routine trio — Easy Primer, Easy Blur and Easy Bake Setting Powder.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by HUDA BEAUTY (@hudabeauty)

The brand has also received industry recognition for its product quality and innovation, earning accolades such as the Allure Best of Beauty Award, Elle Beauty Award and Cosmopolitan Beauty Award.

Just last week, the brand was ranked the world’s most popular beauty brand in the latest Cosmetify Q1 2025 Beauty Index.

The Cosmetify Index ranks beauty brands each quarter based on factors such as search volume, social engagement and brand visibility.

The brand topped the global list ahead of industry names such as Dior, Fenty Beauty, Rhode and Rare Beauty.

The brand also topped Cosmetify’s list in 2019 and 2020. 

In 2018, the company was valued at more than $1 billion by Forbes.


Saudi Arabia makes bold debut at SXSW London

Saudi Arabia makes bold debut at SXSW London
Updated 03 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia makes bold debut at SXSW London

Saudi Arabia makes bold debut at SXSW London

DUBAI: SXSW has taken off this week in London, with the Saudi Film Commission hosting a series of exciting cultural events.

Originating in Austin, Texas, this is the South by Southwest festival’s first edition in London — and notably, the Kingdom’s debut at the renowned indie film showcase, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The Saudi Film Commission, in collaboration with SXSW, will present a curated selection of short films as a part of the “Saudi Film Nights” initiative.

Under the umbrella of Vision 2030, this program supports the Kingdom’s broader effort to diversify its economy, with particular emphasis on growing its entertainment sector.

The Kingdom’s pavilion, known as The Sadu House, will also spotlight contributions from the Music Commission, Culinary Arts Commission, and Fashion Commission, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s rich and diverse cultural landscape to a global audience.

In addition, the commission will host a panel discussion titled “Empowering the Film Industry in Saudi Arabia: From Vision to Reality.” The session will delve into cinema’s role in shaping national identity, preserving heritage, and advancing Saudi content as a powerful cultural tool.

Each day of the festival will feature a showcase of emerging Saudi talent.

On June 3, for example, SXSW attendees will experience a taste of Saudi hip-hop with performances by AZIZ.wav, SHANCOTY, and JEED — artists known for their unique blend of hip-hop flair, Afrobeat influences, and slow R&B tones.

On June 4, the Kingdom will shift gears and present its underground heavy music scene with performances by death metal bands Wasted Land, Sijeel, and Gimmix, marking a bold introduction of Saudi rock to the SXSW stage.

In addition to performances, festivalgoers can attend cultural panels featuring industry professionals from across the Arab world. Topics include female leadership, entrepreneurial ambition, and the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s film industry.

The opening panel on June 3 is titled “Vision 2030: Cultural Opportunities for Social and Economic Transformation,” which will explore the potential of Saudi Arabia’s cultural power.

Day two will feature a session “Fashion Future Platform: How Data Informs Investment Decisions,” offering a deep dive into the intersection of fashion and data-driven innovation.

Another session on day two, “WWD Female Empowerment – Challenges Facing Women Creatives in a Male-Dominated World,” will spotlight the obstacles and breakthroughs for women in the creative sector.

Finally, day three will have a panel “Sustainability – Challenges of Creating Green Fashion and Beauty in a Throwaway World,” which will underscore the need for sustainability in the industry.


Sofia Carson suits up for Netflix celebration

Sofia Carson suits up for Netflix celebration
Updated 03 June 2025
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Sofia Carson suits up for Netflix celebration

Sofia Carson suits up for Netflix celebration

DUBAI: US singer and actress Sofia Carson showed off several looks by Lebanese designer Elie Saab during Netflix festivities this week, marking the latest in a long list of red carpet moments where she has opted for a Lebanese creation.

Ahead of Netflix Tudum 2025: The Live Event — the streaming platform’s celebration of global fandom and storytelling — Carson appeared in a white ensemble featuring a tailored blazer, wide-leg trousers and a matching shirt.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by ELIE SAAB (@eliesaabworld)

On a separate occasion, she wore an all-black outfit composed of wide-leg trousers and a sheer top with cape-like sleeves, tied at the neck with a long scarf. Both outfits were from Saab’s Ready-to-Wear Pre-Fall 2025 collection.

For the live event, which she hosted, Carson first wore a taupe, floor-length gown by Stephane Rolland, made of pleated fabric with long draped sleeves and a high beaded neckline. Later, she switched to a black velvet tailored suit, styled with a white shirt, satin lapels, a black bow tie, a brooch and statement rings.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Sofia Carson (@sofiacarson)

Netflix Tudum 2025: The Live Event took place in Los Angeles at the sold-out Kia Forum and attracted thousands of online viewers as well as the live audience.

It included exclusive previews and performances by Lady Gaga and Hanumankind and featured appearances by cast members from series such as “ONE PIECE,” “Squid Game,” “Stranger Things” and “Wednesday,” as well as previews of upcoming films including “Frankenstein,” “Happy Gilmore 2,” “The Rip” and “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Sofia Carson (@sofiacarson)

The event was preceded by Netflix’s first fully interactive red carpet, which included immersive installations, fan pits and dedicated stages for photo opportunities tied to specific titles.

This was not the first time Carson, known for her roles in “My Oxford Year,” “Carry-On,” “Purple Hearts” and “Feel The Beat,” wore Elie Saab this year.

In March, she appeared in one of the designer’s ensembles while promoting her latest project, “The Life List.” She also wore a green dress from the designer’s Ready-to-Wear Fall/Winter 2023–2024 collection during an appearance on “CBS Mornings” in New York City. The look featured an oversized floral embellishment at the neck in shades of yellow and white, styled with deep green knee-high boots and a matching bag.