“Stich by stich, a Daughter of Islam Takes on Taboos” wrote the New York Times in 2001 about Ghada Amer.
On November 20, 2012, ArtTalks had the priviledge to host Ghada Amer who defies nationality, religion and gender and established herself as a universal artist.
Born in Egypt, educated in France and currently living in New York, Ghada Amer’s international artistic trajectory is inspiring, fascinating and bold. Her portfolio of work, that continually challenges convention and turns tradition on their head, places Ghada Amer as one of the top female artists in the world.
Talking to a thirsty crowd, Ghada Amer presented 100 charts summing up her body of work across the different media she uses – embroidered canvas, prints, sculptures, garden installations and her collaboration with Reza Farkondeh.
Amer seeks to depict the major idea of female pleasure, using texts or images that speak of women’s sexuality, desire and happiness, subtly exposing the contradictions inherent in religious and feminist forms of extremism. Raised in a conservative family, Amer confessed that she uses art as a tool to rebel and express her anxieties. “e;e;I would have died if I didn’t make art. It is a kind of salvation for me.”e;
ArtTalks is currently showing a rare, limited edition, original hand painted prints available for sale. On view until December 6, 2012.
In talking with and exhibiting internationally-acclaimed Middle-Eastern artists, ArtTalks fulfills one of its most important aspects of its mission: the educational programming addressing both collectors and artists. Our intention is to serve as a forum for knowledge and exchange, besides acting as a global search engine for Egypt’s next generation of contemporary artists.
Black and white photographs of the Talk are courtesy of Sherine Mishriki.