Saudi Artist Sarah Al-Johani Rebuilds Heritage Through Feminine Lens at Masaha
She highlights her restoration projects in Al-Ula's old city and a Riyadh palace, connecting her art to Saudi Arabia's architectural heritage. Her work merges physical structures with emotional narratives, creating a unique artistic dialogue. Saudi artist Sarah Al-Johani at Masaha Residency Restoration as a Metaphor
Al-Johani's art reflects diverse restoration philosophies, which she parallels with family dynamics. 'One orientation says we completely demolish and rebuild the mud house for strength,' she noted, describing a school of thought prioritizing durability.
Conversely, another approach focuses on preservation, maintaining traces of the original structure, she elaborated, 'We preserve what is there, supporting remaining walls against erosion and rain.' A third perspective blends old and new, highlighting contrasts. Al-Johani sees these methods mirroring family relationships, where one adapts, preserves, or sometimes abandons ties for growth.
Crafting Feminine Leadership
Her studio, adorned with mud and golden frames from Bin Qasim, embodies her innovative vision. 'I took old, fractured frames and rewrote their story on my new roof,' she said, symbolizing renewal. Al-Johani's work challenges the proverb 'the father is the roof of the house.' She explained, 'The roof distributes loads on walls; a fallen wall increases pressure on others.' This metaphor underscores parental roles in balancing family strengths. By building her roof with feminine aesthetics, she advocates for women to embrace leadership uniquely, stating, 'I am telling a woman to complete the family's missing part, but don't turn into a man.'
Al-Johani's installation at Masaha Residency redefines traditional concepts through a feminine lens, blending heritage with modernity. Her thoughtful integration of architecture and family dynamics resonates deeply with Saudi audiences. 'I chose to build my roof in a very feminine way that looks like Sarah Al-Johani,' she asserted, emphasizing individuality. Her work invites viewers to reflect on preservation, change, and leadership, cementing her role as a trailblazer in Saudi contemporary art.
Short link :
Post Views: 74
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Saudi Gazette
a day ago
- Saudi Gazette
GASTAT: Nearly 70% of Saudis under age of 35
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudis under the age of 35 comprised 69.4 percent of the total Saudi population. This data was revealed by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) on the occasion of the International Youth Day, which falls on August 12. The GASTAT data from 2024 showed that the age group between 15 and 34 accounted for 35.9 percent of the population, with a nearly equal gender distribution of 50.3 percent male and 49.7 percent female. Regarding Saudis and non-Saudis, individuals under 35 made up 61.4 percent of the total population. In the report, the GASTAT emphasized the vital role of youth in shaping Saudi Arabia's development and future. These figures highlight that Saudi Arabia has a young and dynamic population, positioning its youth as a key driver of the country's future prosperity and national development. The GASTAT provides accurate and reliable data essential for informing economic and social policies, helping decision-makers create effective development plans, and measuring the performance of government agencies. By maintaining a precise statistical database, Saudi Arabia can make informed decisions to empower its young population.
Saudi Gazette
4 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia sets health, safety and design rules for group housing units
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has unveiled comprehensive health, safety and technical requirements for group housing facilities across the Kingdom, covering building height and space, location, noise levels, parking availability and other essential services. The regulations classify group housing into three categories — residential buildings, residential complexes and mobile cabins — with capacities ranging from 500 to 10,000 people. For residential buildings, capacity is capped at 500 residents, with a dedicated Saudi supervisor responsible for operations. Each bedroom must provide at least 4 square meters per person, with no more than 10 occupants. Facilities must include two kitchens, restrooms and bathing facilities for every eight residents, rest areas, laundry rooms, climate control, potable water, cleaning services and pest control. Residential complexes can house up to 10,000 residents and must feature similar living space and occupancy standards, plus two kitchens per floor, a prayer room, laundry facilities, emergency rooms for every 1,000 residents, and a medical clinic for every 5,000. Mobile cabins, designed for temporary use on projects, follow the same occupancy rules and must include a central kitchen, prayer room, health isolation room, laundry facilities, emergency rooms, clinics, and climate control. Licensing requirements mandate prior approval from relevant authorities, including building permits, execution plans, and public health and safety documentation. Projects must ensure fire alarms, first-aid equipment, regular maintenance, emergency access, and accessible facilities for people with disabilities. Under general planning rules, built-up areas cannot exceed 40% of the land plot. Sites must include fuel stations, EV charging points, repair centers, commercial and service areas, shaded parking, pedestrian and bicycle paths, recreational facilities, and modern lighting. One parking space must be provided for every 100 residents, along with bus parking for 50% of the population and dedicated spots for disabled access. Architectural standards require safe stair railings, window sill heights, roof barriers, rainwater drainage, waste disposal systems for high-rise buildings, and facade designs that meet urban codes. Prohibitions include boundary walls for residential buildings on commercial streets, barriers above fences, and placing air-conditioning units or satellite dishes on balconies. Mobile cabins must meet electrical, plumbing, ventilation, and insulation standards, with steel or aluminum frames, composite insulated walls, anti-slip flooring, and pitched roofs, designed for frequent transport and heavy operational loads.
Saudi Gazette
5 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
Over 60 million visit the Two Holy Mosques in Muharram
Saudi Gazette report MAKKAH — The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque announced that a total of 60,245,635 people visited the Two Holy Mosques during the Islamic month of Muharram in 1447 AH, supported by an integrated network of services provided by the authority and participating agencies to serve pilgrims and worshippers. The authority reported that the Grand Mosque in Makkah welcomed 27,531,599 worshippers, including 47,823 who prayed in the Hateem area of Hijr Ismail. The number of Umrah performers reached 7,857,270. At the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, the total number of worshippers reached 21,576,200, including 1,122,368 who prayed in Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah. Meanwhile, 2,110,375 people visited to greet the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his two companions (may Allah be pleased with them). The authority stressed that it is committed to providing the highest quality services to ensure ease, comfort, and tranquility for worshippers, pilgrims, and visitors, in line with the directives of the Saudi leadership. It also reaffirmed its efforts to remove any obstacles and further enhance services at the Two Holy Mosques.
