Saida Alkhulaifi

Statement

Saida Alkhulaifi is a multidisciplinary artist and curator. Alkhulaifi obtained her MA degree in museums and gallery practice from University College of London and is currently working in the contemporary art field in Qatar. Her works explore themes of identity, society norms and time. Her artistic approach is a mix of analogue photography, experimental developing and printing, drawing, text and embroidery. She states:

The wait for a romanticized future where dreams and hopes come true, is an expectation that overwhelms the present. My work explores the theme of time within the context of recent memory, emotions and objects’ connection to human behavior. The starting point to any visual narrative is always a photograph in an attempt to grasp fleeting memories. I observe my thoughts in the moment alongside my surroundings. What is considered present today, tomorrow becomes a memory. The notion of time is explored through layering and added text, investigating different surfaces and mediums, experimental photography, and where all of these exist in time and space.

GlogauAIR Project

During the residency I aim to develop my practice further and present photography with mixed media that reflects my experimental approach. What follows developing images is an ongoing process of experimentations, through embroidery, handwritten phrases and drawings. I intend to expose hidden emotions evoked by the captured moment through a mix between text, diary notes and whimsical and playful out of place shapes. I have experimented with embroidery and ink on photo paper and canvas and I plan to expand these experimentation to include printing on different mediums such as metal sheets, gel sheets and different types of fabric. The art work I’m aiming to produce consists of layers of different rigid and flowy materials and includes photography and thread as main elements.

CV Summary

• Residency programs supervisor and associate curator at the Fire Station, Artist in Residence in Doha Qatar

Shows Curated

• Artist in Residence 5 exhibition “Grey Times”, opening January 2020.
• ”Glimpse of Nature” group show exploring nature as a vessel and medium for creativity, 2020.
• Artist in Residence 4 exhibition “Infinite Dimensions”, 2019.
• ”On Paper” group show exploring paper as a medium in artists work, 2019
• Organized many small exhibitions since end of 2018 at the Fire Station and worked closely with a large number of artists during their residency and others both local and international.

Gallery