Aug 1 - Oct 1 2024
The residency program aims to facilitate practitioner and community engagement by hosting talks and studio visits at the production space. It also strives to offer residents distinctive opportunities to immerse themselves in the context of Al Balad, encompassing its rich history, vibrant culture, and unique environment. Furthermore, the program seeks to foster networking and facilitate cultural exchange by connecting residents with members of the local art scene, thereby providing valuable touch points for knowledge sharing and community building.
Meet The Residence
Latifa Alajlan
Latifa Alajlan, born in 1998 in Kuwait City, participated as our resident artist. Her work channels Kuwaiti culture in her paintings through intricate patterns and forms inspired by Middle Eastern architecture. Blending abstraction with recognizable idioms, Latifa's art questions systems of structure and form.
During her residency, Latifa delved into Islamic art and mosque architecture, particularly intricate tile patterns and geometric designs. Her project integrated these elements into contemporary art pieces celebrating Islamic cultural heritage.
Khayria Refaat
Khayria Refaat, born in Jeddah and now based in Riyadh, is a passionate art writer and emerging curator. She turned her lifelong love of art into curating experiences that deeply connect with the human spirit. Her residency project investigated the intricate and complex relationship between language and culture within Jeddah’s diverse society. By examining the evolution of language through social interactions and artistic expressions, Khayria elucidated the dynamic processes through which culture is formed and disseminated.
Miguel Braceli
Miguel Braceli is an interdisciplinary artist based in the United States, working at the intersection of art, architecture, and social practices. His work delves into participatory art projects in community spaces. In 2021, he founded La ESCUELA, an artist-run platform for radical learning and collective making in public spaces.During his residency, Miguel explored geopolitical iconography, transforming communal objects through collective gestures. Focusing on Al-Balad’s public spaces, he incorporated cultural festivities and local aesthetics to create new territorial symbols inspired by shared experiences.
Nayra Zaghloul
Nayra Zaghloul is an accomplished curator, researcher, writer, and consultant with over ten years of experience and is currently based between London and Cairo. She has worked with prestigious institutions like Galerie Max Hetzler, White Cube, and Sotheby’s. She holds a BA in English and M.Phil in Islamic Art and Archeology with Persian from Oxford.
During her residency, Nayra explored the rich heritage of poetry, folklore, and storytelling within Jeddah’s diverse community. Her research covered Bedouin, Eritrean, Ethiopian, Somali, Sudanese, and Yemeni cultures, focusing on how oral traditions and histories intersect with contemporary art forms.
Contemporary Narratives
Program:
OPEN STUDIO
As the culmination of the contemporary narratives cycle at Bait Shouaib Residency, the Open Studio showcased the individually led projects and creative processes of the residents. Over two days, we welcomed more than 200 guests, including artists and community members, providing an opportunity for the community to engage with the residents’ works and participate in thought-provoking discussions.
