Mohammad AlFaraj
May your flame never goes out, 2022
Digital print of 35mm photograph
59 x 42 cm
Ed 2/3
This group exhibition delves into the profound and interdependent relationship between human life and the land, recognising that the two are inextricably linked for mutual growth and survival. Titled A Home Without Dates Will Starve, the exhibition draws inspiration from a Hadith in which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasises the paramount importance of having dates within a household.
In resonance with the Holy month of Ramadan, the exhibition prominently foregrounds the date palm as a foundational pillar of Khaleeji society. This tree serves as a source of sustenance, security, and spiritual nourishment, holding a deeply-rooted significance in Islam and the Arabian Peninsula. Revered for its versatile nature and myriad of uses, the date palm embodies the interconnectedness of human life with the land, providing not just nourishment but also materials for shelter and everyday uses.
Featuring painting, drawing, still and moving images, the exhibition meditates on themes surrounding spirituality, exploring our connection with the divine and the land; kinship, representing the unity and shared history; ancestral knowledge, celebrating the traditions passed down through generations; oral histories, emphasising the importance of storytelling; and social attitudes, reflecting on our collective values and how they shape our relationship with the land and one another. Ultimately, A Home Without Dates Will Starve invites contemplation on the integral bonds between human life, the land, and the divine, offering a multidimensional exploration of our deep-rooted connections and shared histories
Participating artists include: Abdulrahman Al-Muftah, Ahmed Nooh, Aisha Al Abdulla, Ameena Alboinin, Ameni Abida, Amna AlBaker, Anfal Alkandari, Hala Aljaafari, Hanadi Al-Darwish, Haytham Sharrouf, Maryam Altajer, Mohammed Al Faraj, Mo'min Swaitat, Mubarak Al Thani, Nedim Kufi, Shaima Al-Tamimi, Shaima Ayoub, Suad Al-Attar, Suad Al-Salem, and Zainab Alshibani.
