Algeria

The Kabyle are a Berber ethnic group native to Kabylie in the north of Algeria. They are the largest Berber-peaking population in Algeria and the second largest in Africa. Today, Kabyle tribes strives to strengthen their cultural identity and return to their cultural roots by perpetuating the production of their traditional pottery. This artisanal practice is passed on from mother to daughter: it takes on a distinctive feminine style that reveals the Kabyle women’s mentality, and gives a glimpse into their ancient practices, shrouded in secrecy within traditional society. Kabyle pottery’s typology and motifs are an independent semiotic system, reflective of an autochthonous culture, but also incorporating some foreign cultural influence.

Youssef Nabil's powerful cinematic journey

A longstanding love for the golden age of Egyptian cinema not only provides inspiration for the internationally acclaimed visual artist Youssef Nabil, but is also intrinsically linked to the themes he explores in his work, which range from transience and identity to exile and belonging. In this interview, he tells Artscoops about how the movies...

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Articulating through art

The painter and art film creator Rana Bulbul explains how art enables her to explore her questions creatively and express herself without limitations.Rana Bulbul with one of her paintingsYou are self-taught. Did you study or work in a different field initially and if so, how did you make the transition into art?Yes, I studied graphic design and...

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Contemporary Istanbul returns for 19th edition

Spanish-Latin American theme and ‘soft power’ message to the fore at 2024 art fairThe opportunity to view works by an impressive lineup of artists in a city steeped in history and on the water’s edge has helped elevate Contemporary Istanbul (CI) to the status of ‘must attend’ event among many art lovers worldwide. This winning combination,...

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Shaded, sweeping strokes of nature

From serene sunsets to scenic seascapes, the Lebanese multidisciplinary artist Nabil Ghandour weaves a tapestry of glorious colour into his ethereal, dreamlike paintings.Nabil at work in his studioWatching a sunset from a vantage point on a beach or hillside is one of those pastimes that many of us never tire of, whether it’s planned as part of...

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From darkness to light

The themes that Wissam Al Shaabi explores in his art run the gamut from human cruelty to nature’s beauty, reflecting the rollercoaster of highs and lows, and hope and despair that life so often brings.The human condition is undoubtedly a source of inspiration for many contemporary visual artists, but exploring its numerous facets can be...

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‘Beyond the Artofficial’ - exploring the rewards and risks of AI

In her current solo exhibition, the artist Magali Katra digs deep into the topical issue of AI and considers how we can embrace this exciting phenomenon without losing our authenticity or creativity. Magali KatraArtificial Intelligence (AI) has rarely been out of the news in recent months, so taking this topical issue as the starting point for...

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