Manal AlDowayan: Representing Saudi Arabia at the Venice Biennale
Manal AlDowayan, the celebrated Saudi artist, is currently making waves in the art world. With two successful exhibitions in AlUla and an ambitious land art commission in progress, she is now representing her country at the prestigious 60th Venice Biennale. Often referred to as “the Olympics of the art world,” this event showcases national pavilions and runs until Nov. 24.
A Return to Venice
AlDowayan has a history with Venice, having participated in 2009 with fellow Saudi artists. She shares, “I’ve been going to Venice for about 12 years. The first time I showed there, I knew in my heart that I would be coming back to represent Saudi Arabia.” Her selection for the 2024 edition came as a surprise, but she and her team were ready for the challenge.
The Artwork: “Shifting Sands—A Battle Song”
Curated by a trio of female experts, AlDowayan’s installation at the Saudi Pavilion focuses on community engagement, participatory art, and the representation of women in Saudi culture. Through sound and soft sculptures, she aims to reclaim the narrative of Saudi and Arab women, challenging stereotypes perpetuated by the media.
A Powerful Message
The participatory workshops conducted by AlDowayan allowed women to share their stories and reactions to media representations. The installation features women’s voices harmonizing with sand dune sounds, creating a powerful and meditative experience for visitors.
Provoking Conversations
AlDowayan hopes her artwork will spark dialogue and emotional responses from viewers. She states, “I want questions. I want extreme emotions. They can hate it, they can love it, they can cry. But, I can’t do neutral. If they have questions, then I’ve succeeded.”