Tabari Artspace Gallery presented the solo exhibition of Saudi artist Ahmed Mater.
Mater hails from the Aseer region in Southern Saudi Arabia, specifically the village of Rujal Al-Ma'a. His mother, a traditional Aseeri painter, influenced his artistic upbringing. Despite being raised in Abha, the capital of Aseer, he has managed to balance his careers as both an artist and a medical doctor at the local hospital.
Mater's artwork explores the dualities of his life as an artist and a physician. He incorporates religious symbols and scientific allusions to depict humanity within a complex tapestry. His compositions, which can be both iconic and unsettling, traverse the realms of ancient enchantment and apprehension about the future. Through his work, he seeks to discover traces of faith, spirit, magic, and love in the modern world.
Mater's extraordinary conceptual imagination has propelled him to the forefront of Saudi Arabia's emerging contemporary arts scene. His distinct artistic voice has been showcased in various exhibitions and has garnered attention from museums and patrons across Europe and the Middle East. Noteworthy projects like "Yellow Cow" and "X-Ray Suicide" have been featured in prominent art events such as the Sharjah Biennale in 2007 and the Cairo Biennale in 2008. Additionally, he recently co-curated the highly acclaimed exhibition "Edge of Arabia: Contemporary Art from Saudi Arabia" at London's Brunei Gallery. Mater's work will also be prominently featured in the upcoming Venice Biennale.