Wadi AlFann presents Ahmed Mater
Saudi physician-turned-artist Ahmed Mater explores the mythic space between subjective imagination and objective reality, conjuring a mirage as a spiritual, transcendental experience for Ashab Al-Lal, his new large-scale commission for Wadi AlFann, Valley of the Arts – located within the stunning desert canyons of the ancient cultural heritage city of AlUla, Saudi Arabia.
Mater is joined by Manal AlDowayan, James Turrell, Agnes Denes and Michael Heizer as one of the first five artists commissioned to create permanent works, responding to the landscape and heritage of AlUla, taking inspiration from the dramatic topography, undulating vistas, and remarkable geological structures, and AlUla’s complex natural ecosystems and communities.
Opening onto a subterranean chamber, Ashab Al-Lal distorts light and perception, challenging the idea of the landmark as a symbol of status and authority, viewing it instead as a place for the transmission of knowledge, drawing inspiration from great scientific and philosophical thinkers of the Islamic Golden Age. An eminent cultural voice documenting the realities of contemporary Saudi Arabia, Mater tours his archive and inspirations for a short documentary by Wadi AlFann – from philosophical symbolism shaped by influential Islamic thinkers, to the long history of AlUla, its people and monumental landscape.
Find out more about Ahmed Mater’s Land Art commission for Wadi AlFann, AlUla, at Christie’s London exhibition ‘Ahmed Mater: Chronicles’ taking place from 17 July until 22 August.
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