The Many Faces of the Desert

From the Vault

The Many Faces of the Desert

'Desert Design,' by Hazem Al Zubi. 2005. Ceramic 77.5 x 77.5 x 6.5 cm. Image courtesy of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah.

Rym Tina Al-Ghazal

10 minutes read

October 20, 2021

An old Arab proverb tells us to

"write the bad things that are done to you in sand, but write the good things that happen to you on a piece of marble."

Moments are written and erased along the silky sands of the desert, and their elusiveness and dominance continue to inspire artists across the decades, with new artists every generation falling under its spell. Here we take a moment to reflect over the creativity born out of a desert theme via a special collection from the Barjeel Art Foundation.

Artworks

<p>'Desert Design,' by <a href="https://www.barjeelartfoundation.org/artist/jordan/hazem-al-zubi/"><strong>Hazem Al Zubi</strong></a><strong>.</strong> 2005. Ceramic, 77.5 x 77.5 x 6.5 cm. Image courtesy of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah.</p>

'Desert Design,' by Hazem Al Zubi. 2005. Ceramic, 77.5 x 77.5 x 6.5 cm. Image courtesy of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah.

<p>'Camp at the Edge of the Desert,' <a href="https://www.barjeelartfoundation.org/collection/dia-azzawi-camp-at-the-edge-of-the-desert/"><strong>Dia Azzawi</strong></a><strong>.</strong> 2007. Oil on canvas, 150 x 150 cm. Image courtesy of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah.</p>

'Camp at the Edge of the Desert,' Dia Azzawi. 2007. Oil on canvas, 150 x 150 cm. Image courtesy of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah.

<p>'Untitled (Abstract),' by <a href="https://www.barjeelartfoundation.org/collection/fouad-bellamine-untitled/"><strong>Fouad Bellamine</strong></a><strong>.</strong> 1973, Mixed media on panel, 72 x 97 cm. Image courtesy of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah.</p>

'Untitled (Abstract),' by Fouad Bellamine. 1973, Mixed media on panel, 72 x 97 cm. Image courtesy of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah.

<p>'Lumière du Sud (Southern Light),' by <a href="https://www.barjeelartfoundation.org/collection/abdallah-benanteur-lumiere-du-sud-southern-light/"><strong>Abdalla Benanteur</strong></a><strong>.</strong> 1960. Oil on cardboard, mounte on wood, 98 × 78 cm. Image courtesy of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah.</p>

'Lumière du Sud (Southern Light),' by Abdalla Benanteur. 1960. Oil on cardboard, mounte on wood, 98 × 78 cm. Image courtesy of Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah.