Running through November 24, 2024, Manal AlDowayan, a prominent contemporary artist from Saudi Arabia, showcases her latest work, “Shifting Sands: A Battle Song,” at the 60th International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, representing Saudi Arabia. The exhibition features AlDowayan’s multimedia installation that merges sculpture and sound to deliver a poignant narrative on Saudi womanhood today.
Set against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia’s cultural transformation, “Shifting Sands: A Battle Song” stands out in the Biennale’s theme, “Stranieri Ovunque – Foreigners Everywhere.” This theme addresses the solitude and communal experiences of outsiders, providing a fitting canvas for AlDowayan’s exploration of Saudi women’s evolving identities.
The installation’s conceptual foundation was laid during workshops across Saudi cities including Al Khobar, Jeddah, and Riyadh, where AlDowayan…
