In Spite of it All

Overview

This exhibition of work from the Sharjah Art Foundation’s growing collection presents a range of artistic responses to some of the most pressing issues we are faced with today.

The personal and social cost of rapid economic and urban development, the struggle with a past that confronts a corrupt and changing present, notions of individual and collective resistance and survival in the face of stagnant political or social situations are some of the topics explored in these works, most of which were originally shown in previous Sharjah Biennials between 2003 to 2011.

These works were either originally commissioned for and shown in past Sharjah biennials or other SAF exhibitions between 2003 to 2011, or acquired by the Foundation because of their resonance with the socio-political, cultural and economic realities of Sharjah and the wider region.

Curated by Sharjah Art Foundation's Director Hoor Al Qasimi, the exhibition features works by 14 artists including Ayreen Anastas, Rene Gabri, Muratbek Djoumaliev , Gulnara Kazmalieva, Nikolaj Larsen, Maha Maamoun, Rashid Masharawi, Jean-Luc Moulène, Moataz Nasr, Marcel Odenbach, Melik Ohanian, Mario Rizzi, Raeda Saadeh, Jayce Salloum, Sharif Waked and Liu Wei.

In Spite of it All features the following film, video and installation works; Sharif's Waked To Be Continued… (2009), Moataz Nasr's Echo (2003), Liu Wei's Hopeless Lands (2008), Mario Rizzi's Out of Place (2005), Maha Maamoun's Domestic Tourism II (2009), Nikolaj Larsen's Rendezvous (2009), Ayreen Anastas and Rene Gabri's What Everyone Knows (2006), Melik Ohanian's DAYS, I See what I Saw and what I will See (2011), Raedah Saadeh's Vacuum (2007), Jean-luc Moulène's La Vigie (working progress) (2010), Muratbek Djumaliev and Gulnara Kasmalieva's Into the Future (2005).