Arab Express

Arab Express
Mori Art Museum
Saturday 16 June – Sunday 28 October, 2012

From lifestyles to identity, the rapidly transforming Arab world possesses a diversity of cultures that cannot be overstated. And the traditions, religion, customs and aesthetics that constitute that diversity are vividly reflected in the work of the region’s artists.
In the last few years, many exhibitions of contemporary art from the Arab world have been held globally, and within the region itself there are indications that the art industry is maturing, with Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art opening in Doha (Qatar) in 2010, and branches of the Louvre and the Guggenheim Museum now under construction in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates). “Arab Express” introducing the artworks by 34 artists from the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding Arab countries, is the first exhibition of its kind ever to be held in Japan.

This exhibition commemorates the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Kingdom of Bahrain, Sultanate of Oman, State of Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates; as well as the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.