Exploring Creativity: Inside Abdullah Al Saadi's Studio at the 60th Venice Art Biennale
Abdullah Al Saadi, a prominent conceptual artist from the UAE, is renowned for his art that intertwines mystery and familiarity. At 57, he remains a devoted wanderer, storyteller, and passionate naturalist. Clad in a beige linen suit and matching hat, Al Saadi attended the opening of the Venice Art Biennale 2024, ready to embark on another of his legendary artistic ‘journeys.’ Based in the picturesque Khor Fakkan, he is representing the UAE at this year’s 60th International Venice Biennale, curated under the theme ‘Stranieri Ovunque—Foreigners Everywhere’ by Adriano Pedrosa.
His exhibition, ‘Sites of Memory, Sites of Amnesia,’ located at the historical Arsenale in Venice, explores the profound connection between art and personal experience. It underscores the artist’s role as a preserver of memories and navigates the complex decisions of what to remember or forget. Inspired by Milan Kundera’s idea that “The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting,” Al Saadi’s work invites viewers to consider shared human experiences through his personal adventures.
Curated by Tarek Abou El Fetouh of Sharjah, the exhibition transforms the UAE pavilion into a replica of Al Saadi’s Khor Fakkan studio, complete with over 450 artworks, personal letters, and poetry. Performers enact daily rituals from Al Saadi’s creative process, enhancing the immersive experience. The exhibition itself is a narrative of eight diverse expeditions, each illustrating unique tales that often give voice to the animals and objects accompanying him.
One standout collection, ‘The Sufi’s Journey by Bicycle,’ features pencil drawings that merge Al Saadi’s love for Sufism and his unfulfilled dream of cycling around the world. These works, initially revealed in Pakistan, capture a child-like wonder and are stored in carefully labeled tin boxes, a method of organizing that mirrors the artist’s meticulous nature.
The exhibition also includes ‘The Slipper’s Journey,’ where Al Saadi uses stones to chart pathways, and large metal chests that visitors can explore with assistance, unveiling the intimate and profound layers of his artistic vision.
Abdullah Al Saadi’s profound connection to nature and storytelling is evident throughout his work. His approach to art is deeply personal yet universally resonant, emphasizing his significance in the UAE’s vibrant art scene and beyond. ‘Sites of Memory, Sites of Amnesia’ not only showcases his artistic journey but also reinforces the UAE’s growing influence in the global cultural landscape, a testament to the enduring power of art to bridge diverse worlds. The Venice Art Biennale, where the exhibition will remain open until November 24, 2024, offers a unique window into Al Saadi’s world, inviting global audiences to experience the richness of UAE’s artistic contributions.
