Ghada Al Rabea
Adela Biet Akbar, 2017
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0064
Ghada Al Rabea
Arousa Halawa, 2017
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0058
Ghada Al Rabea
Basra, 2017
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0060
Ghada Al Rabea
Riviera Bala Nimra, 2017
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0059
Ghada Al Rabea
Sitti Sa'ada w Sidi Saeed, 2017
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0061
Ghada Al Rabea
Sitti Steta, 2017
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0062
Ghada Al Rabea
Zaeeg, 2017
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0063
Ghada Al Rabea
Al-Omda Falah Khouj, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0051
Ghada Al Rabea
Al-Sahbajiea, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0055
Ghada Al Rabea
Almabiet, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0052
Ghada Al Rabea
Bint Al Rijal, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0057
Ghada Al Rabea
Holm, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0056
Ghada Al Rabea
Sheikh Al Arab, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0053
Ghada Al Rabea
Sigilli Basha wil Hanim, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0065
Ghada Al Rabea
Tala'at Ala Al-Corniche, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0054
Ghada Al Rabea
Um Al-Dafira, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0037
Ghada Al Rabea
Wardak Ya Zari'e Al Ward, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0050
Ghada Al Rabea
Manna Mirza, 2015
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0038
Ghada Al Rabea
Adela Biet Akbar, 2017
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0064
Ghada Al Rabea
Arousa Halawa, 2017
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0058
Ghada Al Rabea
Basra, 2017
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0060
Ghada Al Rabea
Riviera Bala Nimra, 2017
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0059
Ghada Al Rabea
Sitti Sa'ada w Sidi Saeed, 2017
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0061
Ghada Al Rabea
Sitti Steta, 2017
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0062
Ghada Al Rabea
Zaeeg, 2017
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0063
Ghada Al Rabea
Al-Omda Falah Khouj, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0051
Ghada Al Rabea
Al-Sahbajiea, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0055
Ghada Al Rabea
Almabiet, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0052
Ghada Al Rabea
Bint Al Rijal, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0057
Ghada Al Rabea
Holm, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0056
Ghada Al Rabea
Sheikh Al Arab, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0053
Ghada Al Rabea
Sigilli Basha wil Hanim, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0065
Ghada Al Rabea
Tala'at Ala Al-Corniche, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0054
Ghada Al Rabea
Um Al-Dafira, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0037
Ghada Al Rabea
Wardak Ya Zari'e Al Ward, 2016
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0050
Ghada Al Rabea
Manna Mirza, 2015
Candy wrappers on wood
GAD0038
Ghada Al Rabea’s first solo show at ATHR sets to present a vividly unique body of work, that is both multi layered in concept as well as content.
Al Rabea’s use of discarded candy wrappers to produce collages of iconic pieces and familiar settings, not only serve to reintroduce the historic and iconic within a contemporary Hijazi context, but also presents a sharp commentary on our globalized system today giving value to the disposed and forgotten- be it material or cultural.
These wrappers are not only discernible in their imagery due to the consumer society we live in, but also nostalgic to childhood, triggering personal memories and touching each viewer individually.
Mentos wrappers, along with KitKat foils and Smarties boxes serve as Al Rabea’s palette, each playing their part in adorning the canvas to represent every day social behaviors or historically iconic masterpieces traditionally woven into our sense of global culture. The wrappers also align to present a decorative and repetitious pattern around its rim, elaborately enhancing her attempt to reintroduce and redefine the classical into the contemporary.
Traditional thobs are represented with Mentos and Munchies abayyas, Van Gogh in a Umma and Frida Kahlo in a traditional Hejazi head dress; a veritable coming of East and West, in a fusion of colour and diversity.
This body of work can be read as a re-presentation of Orientalist notions, one where typically traditional and ‘Old Era’ subjects are pulled into the contemporary using globalized and iconic branded material, uniting its audience in its draw and redefining them with a creative and modern twist of understanding.
*An old tradition among the people of Hijaz held in celebration for the imminence of the Holy Month – Ramadan. The traditional event takes place on the 15th of Shaban – the month preceding Ramadan - where the neighborhood kids gather and visit the houses of neighbors and relatives singing odes and songs demanding candies.