Saudi Artist Manal Al Dowayan Challenges Stereotypes at Venice Biennale

Saudi artist Manal Al Dowayan is making a powerful statement at the 60th Venice Biennale with her installation "I Spoke to the Sand and the Sound Moved." The work, featured in the National Pavilion of Saudi Arabia, comprises large desert rose-like sculptures adorned with silk-printed drawings and writings from workshops with nearly 1,000 Saudi women and girls.

The installation is a response to the portrayal of Saudi and Arab women in Western media. Al Dowayan says these women have been consistently misrepresented as "oppressed, repressed, depressed." Through her art, she aims to reclaim the narrative and challenge common misconceptions.

The sculptures include quotes and messages from the workshop participants, who reacted to negative press headlines and media clippings about Saudi women. The installation also features a sound component, with the women's recorded voices harmonizing with the eerie humming sounds of sand dunes.

Why this matters: Al Dowayan's work sheds light on the evolving role of Saudi women in the public sphere and their efforts to redefine both their physical spaces and the narratives surrounding them. It functions as a powerful reminder of the importance of amplifying diverse voices and challenging stereotypes in the global art world.

Co-curated by Maya El Khalil, the installation is part of Al Dowayan's larger work titled "Shifting Sands: A Battle Song," which explores the transformative journey of Saudi women. "The work illuminates the evolving role of Saudi women in the public sphere and their efforts to redefine both their physical spaces and the narratives surrounding them," states the exhibition description.

Al Dowayan's practice often involves community engagement and participatory art, with a focus on the visibility of women in Saudi culture. For this project, she held popular workshops in Riyadh, where over 350 women registered to participate and react to the negative press about them.

"Shifting Sands: A Battle Song" will be on view from April 20 to November 24, 2024 at the Arsenale, Sale d'Armi in Venice, Italy. The installation is part of a larger exhibition at the Saudi Pavilion, which also includes land art works by artists such as Agnes Denis, Michael Heizer, Ahmed Mater, and James Turrell, offering a range of perspectives on art, public spaces, and the interplay of art and archaeology.

Key Takeaways

• Saudi artist Manal Al Dowayan's installation at Venice Biennale challenges stereotypes
• Installation features sculptures with quotes from 1,000 Saudi women and girls
• Work aims to reclaim narrative and amplify diverse voices in global art
• Installation part of Al Dowayan's "Shifting Sands: A Battle Song" project
• Exhibition showcases range of perspectives on art, public spaces, and archaeology