From Modern to Contemporary Arab Art: articulating nationalism and Postcolonial contestations.

The course provides a comprehensive, interdisciplinary and dynamic exploration of the evolution and multiplicity of art practices in the Arab world from the modern period (typically refers to the early 20th century to the mid-20th century) to the contemporary era (starting around the 1990s and on).

The course aims at exploring the intertwined relationship between notions of identity, nationalism, tradition, modernity and globalisation in the context of the politically turbulent Arab world and in the work of Arab artists. Through exploring the historical trajectory, the course examines contemporary Arab art in line with the rise, failure and fall of the national state model in post-colonial Arab countries, and further investigates the transformations in contemporary art practices in the context of the globalised art world. The course explores works of artists, curators and critics and probes how themes of nationalism, resistance, cultural heritage, diaspora, gender, social justice, identity politics, war, displacement and postcolonial contestations were articulated and manifested.

Designed as an interactive course, it will combine theoretical and historical readings, visual analysis, and critical class discussions to explore artistic expressions, cultural narratives, and socio-political dimensions present in contemporary Arab art.

Topics the course will address:

1. Historical Context: Modernism and Postcolonial Influences in Arab Art
2. Identity and Representation: body politics, gender and displacement
3. Socio-Political Art: Activism, Resistance, and Postcolonial Critique
4. Exhibition Practices: Curatorial Approaches and the Global Art Market
5. Contemporary Arab Art in Dialogue: Collaborations, Biennales, and Artistic Exchange