Mona Saudi (Arabic: منى السعودي) (1 October 1945 – 16 February 2022) was a Jordanian sculptor, publisher, and art activist.
Mona Saudi | |
|---|---|
 Saudi in 2013 | |
| Born | 1 October 1945 |
| Died | 16 February 2022 (aged 76) |
| Nationality | Jordanian[1] |
| Education | École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris (1973) |
| Known for | Sculptor, publisher, activist |
| Movement | Modernist |
Life and career
editMona Saudi was born in Amman, Jordan.[2] She grew up in a neighbourhood that was metres away from the Nymphaeum (ancient Roman public baths) and this was her playground. The proximity to a historic site gave her a profound respect for Jordan's ancient art heritage, as well as providing her with a source of inspiration for her sculptures.[3]
As a teenager, growing up in Amman, she knew that she wanted to move to Beirut, the then centre of the Arab arts scene, and become a full time artist. At the age of 17 years, she ran away from home, taking a taxi to Beirut.[3] In an interview with the Gulf News, she explained that she left home without her father's permission because in her family, women were banned from attending university.[4]
In Beirut, she met influential artists, poets and intellectuals, including Adonis, Paul Guiragossian and Michel Basbous, and became part of their social circle.[4] She held her first exhibition in a Beirut cafe, and from this raised sufficient funds to purchase a ticket to Paris.[4]
She enrolled at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and graduated in 1973.[5] In Paris, she began using stone as a medium for her sculpture and had been using it ever since.[4]
Saudi died on 16 February 2022, at the age of 76.[6]
Work
editSaudi mainly sculpts in stone. She used stones from around the world to create her sculptures.[7] Outside of her country, Saudi was one of the best known Jordanian artists.[8] Her subject matter explored themes of growth and creation.
Select list of sculptures
edit- Mother / Earth, 1965
- In Time of War: Children Testify, 1970
- Growth, Jordanian jade, c. 2002
- The Seed, 2007
Selected solo exhibitions
edit- Poetry and Form, Sharjah Art Museum, 2018[9]
- Poetry in Stone, UAE, 2015
- Al-Balkaa Art Gallery, Fuheis, Jordan, 1992
- Gallery 50 x 70, Beirut, Lebanon, 1992
- Al-Salmieh Gallery, Kuwait City, Kuwait, 1985
- Alia Art Gallery, Amman, Jordan, 1983
- Galerie Épreuve d'Artiste, Beirut, 1982
- Galerie Elissar, Beirut, 1981
- Galerie Contemporain, Beirut, 1975
- Gallery One, Beirut, 1973
- Galerie Vercamer, Paris, 1971
Selected group exhibitions
edit- Forces of Change: Artists of the Arab World, 1994
- The National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC, 1994
- Atelier Art Public, Paris, 1993
- Jordanian Contemporary Art Ontario, Canada, 1991
- Arab Contemporary Art, Paris, 1987
- Arab Contemporary Art, London, 1983
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Mona Saudi".
- ^ Krishna Kumar, N.P., "Mona Saudi’s Aesthetic Journey", Gulf News, 11 July 2018, Online:
- ^ a b Gronlund, M., "The Remarkable Career of Jordanian Artist, Mona Saudi," The National, 18 May 2018, Online:
- ^ a b c d Kalsi, J., "Mona Saudi Creates Poetry in Stone," Gulf News, 24 June 2015 Online:
- ^ "Mona Saudi". Arizona State University. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
- ^ Badih, Samia (17 February 2022). "Jordanian artist and sculptor Mona Saudi dies at 76". The National News. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
- ^ Volk, Katherine. "Poetry In Stone Mona Saudi". ArtAsiaPacific. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
- ^ Teller 2002, p. 425.
- ^ Krishna Kumar, N.P., "Mona Saudi’s Aesthetic Journey," Gulf News, 11 July 2018, Online:
Bibliography
edit- Teller, Matthew (2002). Jordan. Rough Guides. p. 425. ISBN 978-1-85828-740-9.
External links
edit