The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is currently hosting a captivating exhibition that celebrates the art of Arab women from the Middle East. Titled “Women Defining Women in Contemporary Art of the Middle East,” the exhibition offers visitors a mesmerizing collection of art and artifacts that delve into the experiences, challenges, and triumphs of women in the region. Linda Komaroff, the exhibition curator and department head, meticulously researched and acquired the works to create this remarkable showcase.
Among the artists featured in the LACMA exhibition is Hayv Kahraman, an Iraqi-born artist now based in Los Angeles. Kahraman’s thought-provoking artwork employs elongated figures and intricate patterns to create a sense of ambiguity. Her pieces challenge stereotypes and illuminate the resilience and complexity of marginalized communities, establishing her as a significant voice in contemporary art.
The exhibition boasts four works by Hayv Kahraman, with her practice focusing on women, often using herself as the central figure in her paintings. Using primarily paint and sometimes watercolor, Kahraman’s work showcases a recurring figure of a woman, embodying a classical Iraqi beauty, as described by Komaroff.
One notable piece featured in the exhibition is Kahraman’s “Indian Poker,” a card game-themed artwork. The curator playfully admitted to not knowing how to play the game but explained that the piece features a woman who resembles a playing card. Interestingly, the artwork can be viewed upside down or right side up, yet the woman’s appearance remains the same.
This exhibition provides a platform to explore the diverse and dynamic ways in which women have defined themselves and each other throughout Middle Eastern history. The curator shared that the exhibition comprises 75 works of art in various media, created by 42 artists. Some artists were born in the Middle East, while others belong to diaspora communities in the United States and Europe.
Visitors of all ages and backgrounds can immerse themselves in the exhibition, which offers interactive displays, multimedia installations, and engaging programming. The exhibition will be open until September 24, 2023, allowing ample time for art enthusiasts and the general public to experience this enlightening showcase of Arab women artists and art from the Middle East at LACMA.