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Contemporary Art & Culture

Articles


If the Moon Were a Canvas: How Middle Eastern Women Artists Turn Speculative Art into Vision and Voice
Speculative Art as Resistance: Middle Eastern Women Artists Reimagine Space and Memory In the expanding field of speculative art, Middle Eastern women artists are pushing the limits of visibility and geography. Their practices rooted in craft, language, and diaspora demonstrate how imagination becomes a political act. For many Middle Eastern women artists, speculative art is not escapism. It is resistance rendered in dust, geometry, and silence. These projects imagine the Moo
Anisa Mosaiebiniya
Oct 13, 20253 min read


How Is Instagram for Middle Eastern Women Artists
Illustration by Middle Eastern women digital artists, showing expressive motifs and colors How Instagram Became the New Gallery for Middle Eastern Women In an era dominated by social media, platforms like Instagram have radically transformed how we interact with art. No longer confined to traditional galleries or physical spaces, artists now have the ability to showcase their work to a global audience, democratizing the art world and creating new opportunities for recognition
Setare Khani
Oct 9, 20256 min read


The Hidden Symbols in Middle Eastern Women’s Art You’re Not Seeing
75:"GJ535D Handmade evil eye beads made of ceramics hung on the wall for sale/ Why Hidden Symbols in Middle Eastern Women’s Art Matter More Than Meets the Eye Symbols are the quiet vocabulary of Middle Eastern women’s art. They slip into a painting as a single eye, repeat across an embroidered dress as tiny pomegranates, or wing their way through a ceramic glaze as desert birds. At first glance they look decorative. Look longer and they speak—about protection, grief, fertilit
Setare Khani
Oct 6, 20259 min read


From Miniature to Monumental: How Middle Eastern Women Took Over the Canvas
Shadia Alem official site – Incarnated Nature / Al Sarat collection They stitched protest, stitched poetry—and turned small acts into large statements Introduction In a region where tradition meets turbulence, many Middle Eastern women artists have transformed what was once small, decorative, or private—like miniature painting, textiles, embroidery—into expansive statements on identity, resistance, and visibility. These works are no longer confined to the drawing‑room; they e
Anisa Mosaiebiniya
Sep 29, 20253 min read


What Does Resistance Look Like? 7 Middle East Women Artists From Tehran to Tripoli Answer
Soha Elsirgany / Ahram Online (Gypsum Gallery)/ Huda Lutfi Stitching Power, Memory, and Defiance Through Art Introduction: A New Language of Protest In regions where speech is policed and truth is weaponized, artists often become the fiercest historians. Across the Middle East and North Africa, women artists have transformed traditional media into weapons of cultural resistance. From using human hair as thread to etch forbidden poetry, to reclaiming religious iconography, the
Anisa Mosaiebiniya
Sep 24, 20253 min read


5 Middle Eastern Women Artists Who Redefined the Veil
Beyond Fabric — How the Veil Became a Powerful Visual Language in Contemporary Art © Shirin Neshat. Courtesy of Gladstone Gallery and the Guggenheim Museum © Shirin Neshat. Courtesy of Gladstone Gallery and the Guggenheim Museum Introduction When the word "veil" is mentioned in Western media, it often evokes images of restriction or invisibility. But for many Middle Eastern women artists, the veil is not a symbol of silence—it's a canvas, a protest, a statement, and a form of
Anisa Mosaiebiniya
Sep 22, 20252 min read


The Role of Art in the “Woman, Life, Freedom” Revolution: From Streets to Canvases and Digital Arenas
Art Against Oppression: How Creativity Became the Voice of a Revolution In a time when words alone could no longer carry the weight of truth, images, sounds, and creativity rose up to tell a new story of resistance. The “Woman, Life, Freedom” revolution in Iran was not merely a political movement—it was a cultural uprising with art pulsing through every fiber. From the walls of Iranian cities to digital platforms across the globe, art became one of the most powerful tools of
Setare Khani
Sep 17, 20254 min read


From Studio to Gallery Wall: 10 Practical Steps to Launch Your Art Career in London
Introduction: London — Where Studio Dreams Meet Gallery Walls London's art ecosystem is one of the richest in the world, offering space, community, and visibility to new voices. From riverside institutions to experimental venues tucked above cafes, the capital is a launchpad for countless careers in painting, sculpture, photography, and new media. But in such a saturated market, how do you stand out? This guide offers practical steps for emerging artists looking to move from
Setare Khani
Sep 15, 20253 min read


10 Essential Things to Know Before Visiting Frieze London 2025
1. Know the Dates and Locations Frieze London and Frieze Masters run from 15–19 October 2025 at Regent’s Park, London. Alongside them, Frieze Sculpture is on view outdoors from 17 September to 2 November 2025 — and it's free. 2. Buy Your Tickets in Advance For Frieze London Tickets must be purchased online via frieze.seetickets.com. Most are timed entry and do not allow re-entry, so plan your time carefully. 3. Start Your Day with Frieze Sculpture Before diving into the main
Setare Khani
Sep 4, 20252 min read


Shirin Neshat: Profile in 7 Key Works + Why Her Art Matters
Brief Introduction to Shirin Neshat Shirin Neshat, an Iranian-born artist, is among the most influential figures in contemporary global art. For more than three decades, she has explored dualities—female/male, East/West, private/public—through photography, video, and installation. Living in exile and moving between two cultures has deeply shaped the conceptual framework of her practice. After the Iranian Revolution, Neshat migrated to the United States and studied fine arts a
Setare Khani
Aug 25, 20254 min read


5 Powerful Women Artists from the Middle East You Should Know
Vibrant and eclectic, this artwork by Farah Al Qasimi from the UAE transforms a gallery wall with a lively collage of imagery, texture, and color, showcasing her distinctive style and cultural narrative. These women aren’t just creating art — they’re creating change. The art world has long overlooked the talent, stories, and voices of women artists from the Middle East. But today, a new generation of powerful female creators is gaining global attention — not just for the qual
Anisa Mosaiebiniya
Aug 22, 20253 min read


How to Start Collecting Art: A Beginner’s Guide to Buying What You Love
MIAC Collective Exhibition in Cortyard Gallery, 2025 You don’t need a big budget or a degree in art history — just curiosity, a little guidance, and a genuine connection to the work. Starting an art collection might seem intimidating, but it’s much more approachable than people think. Whether you want to support emerging artists, decorate your space with meaning, or start a long-term investment, this guide will help you understand how to start collecting art with confidence.
Anisa Mosaiebiniya
Aug 21, 20252 min read


What Is Abstract Art? A Simple Guide for Beginners
Abstract painting by Anisa Mosaiebiniya, Acrylic You don’t have to “understand” abstract art — you just need to feel it. For many people, abstract art is a mystery.It looks nothing like a traditional portrait or landscape. There's no clear subject, no obvious story — just color, form, and energy. And that’s exactly what makes it so powerful. In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll break down what abstract art really is, where it comes from, and how to approach it — whether you
Anisa Mosaiebiniya
Aug 20, 20252 min read


Why We Started No.35 Gallery – A Space for Emerging Voices
no. 35 Gallery Art is not just what we see – it’s what we feel, question, and remember. No.35 Gallery was born from a deep desire to create something more than just an online art platform. We envisioned a space where art becomes a bridge — between cultures, between creators and collectors, and between voices that are often overlooked and the audiences who need to hear them. In particular, we are dedicated to supporting women artists from the Middle East — amplifying their voi
Anisa Mosaiebiniya
Aug 19, 20252 min read
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