Before Take Off
Exhibition Description:
The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the most challenging periods for humanity in recent history. We lost loved ones, mourned and celebrated in isolation, and our lives, to our large extent, have been put to a halt. But the pandemic also put our personal positive attributes to the test, and through it we saw how, with the power of love, perseverance and hope, we could overcome hardships.
Before Take Off was a group exhibition that depicted the experiences and reflections of GCC creatives during the global pandemic, and highlighted the personal positive attributes they had liked visitors to take with them on our next chapter: Life after the pandemic.
Curated by Sumayyah Al Suwaidi, the exhibition featured five GCC artists and one art collective: Ahmed Al Mahri, Leena Al Ayoobi, Humoud Al-Mouqbali, Ahmed Al Refaie, Shahad Nazer, and Wild Arab West. Multiple themes emerged in their works, including hope, resilience, love, connection, and strength, with a number of artists reflecting on one or more simultaneously.
Each room in the house was dedicated to presenting the work of one of the participating artists, who used rich palettes and multiple mediums to celebrate the personal positive attributes that helped us endure a period of time that had left an indelible mark on all of our lives, and that inspired us to live life, dream, and achieve despite it.
