ArtDayME: Art Jameel presents the first institutional solo exhibition of Mohammad Alfaraj, titled ‘Seas are sweet, fish tears are salty.’ Drawing its title from Alfaraj’s writings, the exhibition brings together installations, photography, video works and site-specific commissions that respond to the gardens and outdoor spaces of the Jameel Arts Centre, showcasing the breadth of his evolving multidisciplinary practice.

Alfaraj, who lives and works in the oasis city of Al-Ahsa in Saudi Arabia, draws much of his source material from the area’s distinctive agricultural landscapes, oral traditions and everyday life, which he expands into universal stories and parables. Often with a touch of humour, his work frequently delves into multispecies narratives, ecological and infrastructural transformation and their impacts on communities of humans and non-humans alike.

Central to Alfaraj’s practice is his use of storytelling, both in written and oral forms. The exhibition follows an intricate arabesque of stories, characters and motifs built along the backbone of his poetry and photographic practice. Across the centre’s indoor and outdoor spaces, recurring motifs such as hands, palm trees and birds weave throughout the exhibition, connecting both the real and imagined worlds of his photography, video, poetry and sculptures. New commissions include a sound installation, video work and a site-specific structure inviting audiences to become storytellers themselves.

Curated by Art Jameel’s Rotana Shaker, Curator at Hayy Jameel. The exhibition gathers works from the Art Jameel Collection, and includes new commissions.

Photos by: Nabeeha / Jameel Arts Centre