CITIES OF CONVICTION
August 25 – January 6 2017

In partnership with the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture and CULTURUNNERS, Cities of Conviction is an exhibition of contemporary art from Saudi Arabia. While the artworks have been curated by UMOCA, this exhibition and program are part of a ten-city cultural tour with the United States.

Cities of Conviction presents works from artists who are engaged in looking at the struggle and transformations of Saudi society, and who delve into complex issues linking Utah and Saudi Arabia, such as natural resources, pilgrimage and tension surrounding commercial development around cultural heritage sites.

Cities of Conviction is to be exhibited in the Main and Codec galleries of UMOCA, located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, and adjacent to Utah’s most recognizable religious site, the LDS Temple. This site is a place of pilgrimage, but is also the center of a commercial development boom, just as Mecca is experience now; Our state is currently engaging in issues surrounding oil and land preservation, just as Saudi is attempting to diversify its economy. From sacred lands to the way society condemns or accepts religious practices, each unique culture connects to one another in a variety of ways. Contemporary art has always been at the heart of these very human connections, bringing to the forefront the most pressing issues of our national and global cultures.

LIST OF FEATURED ARTISTS:

Abdullah Al-Othman
Abdulnasser Gharem
Ahmed Mater
Arwa Alneami
Balqis Al Rashed
Dana Awartani
Ghada Al Rabea

Khalid Bin Afif
Khalid Zahid
Lina Gazzaz
Masameer / Telfaz
Moath Alofi
Musaed Al Hulis
Nasser Al Salem

Nouf Alhimiary
Nugamshi
Qamar Abdulmalik
Rashed Al Shahshai
Yusef Alahmad

Join us on August 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. for the opening reception of Cities of Conviction, as well as Michael Anthony García and Jaime Salvador Castillo’s whereABOUTS and Al Ahad’s The Hijab Project in the Ed. Space and Jason Manley’s Shrinking Room in the A-I-R Space. There is a suggested donation of $8, and light refreshments and a cash bar will be available.

Some featured artists will be available to interview, including Balqis Al Rashed and Nugamshi. For more information, please email [email protected].