auto-orientalism

It is no coincidence that the Dutch-Egyptian artist chose the Lebanese capital to launch his new collection. His art has been described by critics as “confrontational” and “a bridge between East and West”, showing “both the worst and the best” of both worlds.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Sadouma moved from a promising career in Holland’s art scene to find inspiration in the Middle East, immersing himself in a region known for its complexity and diversity. He found what he was looking for in the glitz and glamour of the Arab music scene in Beirut and Cairo.

But Sadouma’s art goes far beyond the smooth exterior and clichés that govern this sub-culture. Sadouma holds up a mirror to his audience and has fueled his creations with a super-charged energy that defies the repression and fear hanging over the region.

From imposing statues of carefully chosen celebrities to manipulated forms of distorted Arab womanhood, he has brought together a dazzling collection of three-dimensional strikingly contemporary portraits.

Among the famous figures (re)presented are Abdullah Bilkhair, Gulf superstar, with his trademark grin and guru-like persona; Doctor Hratch Saghbaraian, Best Cosmetic Surgeon in Lebanon 2013 and a man who has refined the features many of young female singers who dominate the music channels; Nidal Al Ahmedieh, feminist intellectual and publisher, one of the Middle East’s true power-women; and Malak Al Naser, controversial Jordanian singer and Tarik’s Muse and guide through the music industry.

Those who dare to explore further will find that Sadouma’s art has many layers. It is inspired by several cultures and incorporates a myriad of influences. His work is also firmly rooted in the history, craftsmanship and traditions of the Middle-East, stretching back through time all the way to Egypt’s glorious Pharaonic past. His portraits are inspired by the goddess-like perfection of antiquity, but subjected to the unnatural processes of decay and degradation.