Category: Announcements

Parasol Dana: Bridging Cultures Through Art

SAFIR is proud to present the latest exhibition by Syrian artist Dana Alnafouri, a dedicated SAFIR artist since 2017. This exhibition, titled “Parasol Dana,” will be held at the BUoY Arts Center Tokyo from September 26-30, 2024 and stands as a testament to the resilience and creativity of Syrian artists and underscores the importance of initiatives that nurture and sustain the arts. SAFIR was happy to support by enabling her to present her art here in Tokyo and sponsoring this exhibition.

Dana Alnafouri’s presence in East Asia underscores the importance of connecting diverse Asian cultures. Her work emphasizes that Syria, as part of West Asia, shares deep cultural and historical ties with the East. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between different parts of Asia, fostering mutual understanding and dialogue. By showcasing Syrian art in Japan and South Korea, including Dana’s solo exhibition at the CICA Museum in July 2024 sponsored by SAFIR, the initiative is helping to weave a richer tapestry of cultural exchange, reminding us of the sacred connections that have existed since ancient times and the cultural aspects of the Silk Road. This effort reflects a shared vision to celebrate the resilience and creativity of Syrian artists while promoting a deeper, cross-regional appreciation of art and heritage.

Dana’s exhibition draws inspiration from her childhood memories, particularly the vibrant worlds of Japanese animation. Growing up in Syria, the Japanese cartoon Parasol Henbē (مغامرات سنبل) left a lasting impact on her, blending with the landscapes of her homeland to fuse reality and imagination. Created by Fujiko Fujio, Parasol Henebē was a beloved 1980s cartoon in the Arab world, featuring a cheerful character from a magical world filled with rainbows; this show evoked a sense of a safe and happy world.

Dana explains that the fantastical scenes from these animations coexist with memories of life in Damascus and the Syrian countryside, inspiring scenes of nostalgic and imaginative paintings of imaginary worlds. Cultural influences and personal memories interplay, where the whimsical and the real merge into colorful, playful compositions. The use of UV light introduces another layer, revealing hidden details and transforming the viewing experience, much like the way childhood perceptions change over time.

The panoramic landscapes of Stolac, an ancient European city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, reflect this spirit of playfulness. The natural beauty of the area, with its cozy homes nestled in nature, feels like an imaginary world brought to life, complementing the vibrant, fantastical elements of Dana’s other works. During the 19th International Summer School Youth and Heritage, Dana drew sketches of the scenic nature of Stolac, which later further inspired her paintings.

Day 1 lectures with Curator Tarek Abou El Fetouh & SAFIR Founders Hala Khayat, Fathi Zamroud & Dr. Nader Kabbani

SAFIR welcomed six young artists from Syria this last March for an intensive ten day workshop TA’AROF 2017 that took place as part of the Sharjah Art Biennial 13 Tamawuj.

Sponsored by the Sharjah Art Foundation, the young artists had the unique opportunity of attending SAFIR Workshop lectures given by key curators and artists from the MENA region, in addition to being led on interactive tours of SB13 and attending key SB13 events.

SAFIR Artists with Lord Snowdon & Hala Khayat during a visit to Christie’s Dubai Auction

As part of the workshop, the artists were also taken on guided tours of Art Dubai 2017, Christie’s Auction, and visits to galleries in Al Serkal Avenue introducing them to a number of prominent art events in the region.

Through the lectures and guided visits, the workshop aimed to provide an initial catalyst to expand the horizons of the participants and  to help them experience the full spectrum of the art world, expanding their artistic networks and forming a better understanding of the role of biennials, art centers and artist residencies in the development of their practice.

Keeping in line with SAFIR capacity development objectives, the workshop lectures focused on developing key skills, including creating value, refining technique, and communicating ideas.

MASSYR Founders at Day 1 of TA’AROF- From right to left, Dr. Nader Kabbani, Hala Khayat and Fathi Zamroud

Facilitated by a number of prominent artists and art experts, including Hala Khayat, one of the founders of MASSYR and Director of Sales at Christie’s Dubai, David Linley (Earl of Snowdon), Christine Tohme Curator of SAF 13, renowned artists Safwan Dahoul ,Thaier Helal and Ismail Al-Rifai, and curators Reem Fadda, Tarek Abou El Fetouh and Fawz Kabra.

SAFIR Artists during studio visits Noor Bahjat Al Masri, Mohamed Khayata, Abdallah Omari, Yamen Yousef, Alaa Sharabi, Juhayda Al Bitar, Anas Albraehe. 

SAFIR proudly announces the launch of its very first workshop TA’AROF starting March 9-13^th 2017 as part of the Sharjah Art Biennial 2016/2017. TA’AROF will provide a select group of young artists from Syria with a unique opportunity to both develop their capacities and artistic networks by visiting the Sharjah Art Biennial 13 Tamawuj, and attending workshop sessions relating to key aspects of their development and outreach by key curators and artists from the MENA region.

After conducting a survey of artists over the past year, it became apparent that many young artists from the Middle East do not fully grasp the importance of biennials, art centers and artist residencies in the development of their practice, relying mainly instead on the more traditional model of artist to gallery relationship to support their growth.

As such SAFIR’s first workshop TA’AROF aims to provide an initial catalyst to expand the horizons of a selected group of young Syrian artists (aged under 35 ) to experience the full spectrum of the art world through the lectures, interactive tours and key SB13 events, to form a better understanding of the role of biennials.

The workshop lectures will focus on developing key skills, including creating value, refining technique, and communicating ideas.  It will be facilitated by a number of prominent artists and art experts, including Hala Khayat, one of the founders of MASSYR and Director of Sales at Christie’s Dubai, Christine Tohme Curator of SAF 13 (TBC), renowned artists Safwan Dahoul and Thaier Helal, and curators Reem Fadda, Tarek Abou El Fetouh and Fawz Kabra.

The interactive tours will aim to introduce the participants to a prominent art event in the region, SB 13 Tamawuj, and will be an opportunity to apply the discussions from Day 1 and reflect on practical examples.

Objectives of the Event:

• Develop capacity and skills and see their application in practice.
• Introduce the artists to two prominent events.
• Sow the seeds of a network of artists and mentors.

Stay tuned for TA’AROF updates on our Facebook page and Instagram (safir.art) and get to know more about the participating artists and key speakers!

Following a rather competitive selection process, SAFIR’s selection committee is pleased to name young Syrian artist Noor Bahjat Al-Masri as the first of three artists chosen for SAFIR’s Pilot Artist-Mentorship Program – the capacity-building program dedicated to bringing together young talented artists from distressed countries in the MENA region with experienced Curators and Cultural Influencers who will mentor the artists for 10 sessions and help them develop their skills further.

A dedicated young artist, Noor was born in Damascus in 1991 and graduated top of her class from the Faculty of Fine Art in the University of Damascus in 2014. She was also the first young artist to be granted a residency at Ayyam Gallery in Dubai, the fruits of which where her first Solo Exhibition that ran from 3rd August-15th September earlier this year.

She will be teamed up with our very own Hala Khayat, Director & Head of Sales at Christie’s Dubai and Vice President of MASSYR, who will be mentoring Noor over the next couple of months.

Wishing Noor a warm welcome to our SAFIR Artists Community!