Abdulnasser Gharem (Saudi Arabia)

Abdulnasser Gharem is a conceptual artist who operates over a multitude of fields, challenging the perception of art in his native Saudi Arabia. He uses photography, video, performance and sculpture as a means of examining the nature of present day life.

His performance work, which often involves collaboration with the community, uses the street as a canvas to construct a social critique. His work alludes to systems of control and authority, as well as forms of traditional art that are repurposed and politicized in his imagery.

Born in 1973, Gharem attended the King Abdulaziz Academy and the Leader Institute in Riyadh before studying at the Al-Meftaha Arts Village in Abha. Following his record-breaking sale at Christie’s in 2011, Gharem helped found ‘Edge of Arabia’ to help promote arts education and to give a platform to contemporary Saudi artists internationally. His works are housed in public collections across Europe and the Middle East and he has exhibited at the Venice, Sharjah and Berlin biennales. Solo exhibitions include Edge of Arabia, London (2013); Side by Side Gallery, Berlin (2013); XVA Gallery, Dubai (2010); King Fahd Art Village, Abha (2006, 2004) and Attileh, Jeddah (2004, 2003). Group exhibitions include ikono On Air Festival, online and broadcasted (2013); Victoria & Albert Museum, London (2012-13); Edge of Arabia, London (2012); Mori Art Museum, Tokyo (2012); British Museum, London (2012); Katara Galleries, Doha Qatar (2012); Contemporary Istanbul (2012) and the Venice Biennale (2011).