Commissioners: Visual Arts Commission, Ministry of Culture
Curator: Reem Fadda
Exhibitor: Muhannad Shono
Saudi Arabia
The Teaching Tree
Album
Description
This artwork forms a monolith tree-like installation that occupies and consumes the space it inhabits. It has been carefully crafted combining natural elements and a mechanical structure, creating a visceral effect on the viewer. This work references the drawn line, which for Muhannad Shono stems from a personal, defining encounter with ways of the past and previous beliefs as well as his investigation of life cycles and power of nature and regeneration. It also alludes to nature as it writhes, fighting for its survival, shedding its skin, and ushering in hope for rebirth and new beginnings. The energy emanating from the artwork signifies the evolutional battle whereby living organisms are presently being forced to deal with their prevailing instinct to survive. Yet it also transmits a message of wisdom contained in nature itself, urging us to learn from it.