MAHA MALLUH (B. 1959), FOOD FOR THOUGHT NO. VI

welded chinco dishes

150 by 80 cm.; 59 by 31 ½ in.

Executed in 2015.

We are grateful to Basma Al Sulaiman, with loving memories of Mohammed Aljuffali, for this generous loan to our exhibition.

Maha Malluh is a renowned Saudi artist, born in 1959 in Riyadh. Her work reflects on the cultural heritage and societal changes within the Gulf region; she has developed a distinctive artistic style that often incorporates found objects and traditional elements, blending them with contemporary themes.

Malluh’s work is influenced by her experiences growing up in Saudi Arabia, as well as her exposure to Western art and education. She has studied in both Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. Malluh is recognised for her use of readymade objects, such as cooking pots, cassette tapes, and other everyday items, which she reappropriates and arranges into large-scale installations. Often exploring themes of memory, identity, and the passage of time.

Malluh's art often comments on the rapid modernisation of the Gulf region, the tensions between tradition and modernity, and the preservation of cultural identity amidst the process of globalisation. Her ‘Food for Thought’ series utilises vintage cooking pots as a commentary on the role of women and the significance of communal meals in Saudi society.

"I like to work with objects that are going to disappear from our life, in order to preserve our identity and our cultural memory. Also, I don’t see the point in creating new objects while we have a lot of waste around us. Since the discovery of oil, and with large amounts of disposable income, people have become trained by market forces to buy things because of their brand image. This has led me to think how brand names have helped to create a 'throwaway' culture in Saudi Arabia and in the world. What was once trivial may become powerful again."

-         (The artist in conversation with Anna McNay, Studio International, February 2016).

Her work has been exhibited internationally, including at institutions such as the British Museum, the Venice Biennale, and the Sharjah Biennial. She is considered a key figure in the contemporary Saudi art scene.

We are grateful to Basma Al Sulaiman for this generous loan to our exhibition.