ArtDayME - Between Mist and Meridian recently opened at Hafez Gallery in Jeddah and will remain on view until 1 August 2026, presenting a compelling dialogue between memory, identity, and cultural heritage through the works of three distinguished Arab artists: Hakim Al Akel (Yemen), Abdelsattar Al Mussa (Saudi Arabia), and Thuraya Al-Baqsami (Kuwait). Although they belong to different generations and artistic traditions, all three share a formative experience of studying at the Surikov Moscow State Academy of Fine Arts, a foundation that continues to shape their artistic vision.

The exhibition explores how personal memories and collective histories become embedded in landscapes, figures, and symbols. Through painting, the artists examine the enduring relationship between place, identity, and the cultural narratives that define communities across the Arab world.

Hakim Al Akel presents works from his Mountain Nymphs series, where women, mountain villages, and valleys emerge through mist in dreamlike compositions inspired by memories of his Yemeni homeland. His expressive use of color and layered forms transforms recollection into visual poetry, blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination.

Abdelsattar Al Mussa offers a contrasting perspective through his restrained black-and-white figurative paintings, many created during the 1980s. His works emphasize dignity, resilience, and the emotional weight of everyday life, preserving the social memory of a generation through quiet yet powerful imagery.

Meanwhile, Thuraya Al-Baqsami expands the exhibition's narrative with vibrant paintings rooted in Gulf and Arab cultural traditions. Her female figures appear not merely as subjects but as symbols of identity, strength, and cultural continuity, celebrating women as active custodians and creators of collective memory.

Together, the three artists create a rich visual conversation that highlights the enduring power of memory, belonging, and heritage across different places and generations.

Between Mist and Meridian is open to visitors from Saturday through Thursday, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and will continue at Hafez Gallery, Jeddah, until 1 August 2026.

Photos credit: Hafez Gallery