ArtDayME: Rizq Art Initiative presents fourth exhibition 'windings of the Labyrinth' curated by Meena Vari.

In this exhibition, the works of female artists are presented, including Adlita Stephan (LEBANON) / Dalia Baassiri (LEBANON/UAE) / Ghada Zoghbi (LEBANON) / GS Smitha (INDIA) / Elizabeth Dorazio (BRAZIL/UAE) / Karine Roche (FRANCE/ UAE) / Lana Khayat (SPAIN/UAE) / Najat Makki (UAE) / Najia Mehadji (MOROCCO) / Salmah Almansoori (UAE) / Zena Assi (UK) / Zoe Benbow (UK)

It is written in the statement of the exhibition: An exhibition exploring the concept of a social and physical landscape and its distinctive representation and unique perspective by female artists.The conventional cultural portrayal of land has often been imbued with gendered connotations: Nature is frequently personified as female, as is the Earth itself; land can be seen as "Virgin," conquered through the endeavours of predominantly male explorers; places can be perceived as either spoiled, idealised, forbidden, or untouched. 

Remarkably, the language of geography often parallels that of sexuality, divided into active and passive roles. This language also connected creativity with one aspect of life and procreation with another. In this cultural framework, a landscape artist may consciously or unconsciously align themselves with the role of a creator-explorer-documentor, regardless of their gender.

Considering the historical barriers women have faced in accessing land, pursuing travel, being outdoors at large, it stands to reason their experiences of the world are distinct and unique compared to their male counterparts - artists or not.Should we then reconsider the landscape through a gender focused perspective?

The exhibition 'windings of the Labyrinth' continues until May 30, 2024. Rizq Art Initiative is located at Leaf Tower, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi.

Photos: Rizq Art Initiative