Launching on November 20, 2015, this multi-faceted program aims to highlight the urgent issue of cultural heritage preservation and the empowerment of women artists in Saudi Arabia’s Southern Asir region 

Art Jameel, in partnership with Edge of Arabia and the Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the UN, announces a multi-faceted initiative at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. OUR MOTHER’S HOUSE aims to draw attention to the urgent issue of cultural heritage protection, while advancing the equal representation of women in the Middle East.

The launch of this long-term program will include an art exhibition (16 - 27 November) of two commissioned murals that celebrate the hundreds-year old tradition of house-painting by skilled female artisans from the village of Rijal Alma in Saudi Arabia. The installation also includes a presentation to highlight Saudi Arabia's bid to recognize this historic village as an official UNESCO World Heritage site.   Organized in collaboration with multiple sectors of the United Nations, the launch event features a reception and dedicated panel discussion on Friday 20 November, organized by The Middle East Institute (Washington D.C.) and highlighting the crucial role Asiri women artists have played in the composition and archiving of their local history. OUR MOTHER'S HOUSE celebrates the creativity and determination of women artists who play an extraordinary role in preserving the cultural identity of their communities.

 OUR MOTHERS’ HOUSE features artwork by woman artisans in the Asir region located in the Southwest of Saudi Arabia, home to one of the country’s most prominent cultural and archeological sites. The artisans of Asir are an example of the endangered role of women within rural areas of contemporary Saudi society; traditionally at the forefront of recording and sharing histories, in one generation women in remote regions of Saudi Arabia have been marginalized within their communities.

OUR MOTHERS’ HOUSE seeks to promote artistic production, as well as gender equality and the empowerment of women in the Middle East, core missions of Art Jameel and Edge of Arabia. Program advisers include three Saudi artists: Arwa Alnaemi, whose work often explores the relationship of women to larger Saudi Society; Ahmed Mater, best known for his explorations of the Islamic culture and trends of consumerism and transformation in the region; and Fatimah Jaber, an Asiri house painter and founder of Fatimah Museum in Abha, Additional support is provided by Ali Moghawi, an Asiri cultural historian and member of the Rijal Alma UNESCO World Heritage Bid.

EXHIBITION OF OUR MOTHERS’ HOUSE MURAL:

Date: On view from November 16 – 27, 2015 Location: Curved Wall, Conference Building 1, United Nations Headquarters, New York RSVP: Private tours are available upon request.

LAUNCH EVENT:

Date: Friday, November 20, 2015 Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm Location: East Lounge, United Nations Headquarters, New York RSVP: Attendees are requested to RSVP by November 16.  

A launch event will be held at the United Nations’ Headquarters in New York, featuring an introduction to the Asir house-painting tradition by participating artists and a panel discussion organized by the Middle East Institute in Washington D.C.. Speakers will include Fatimah Jaber, Asiri house painter and founder of Fatimah Museum in Abha, and Ali Moghawi, Cultural Historian and member of Rijal Alma Unesco World Heritage Bid; the event will be moderated by Kate Seelye, Vice President, Middle East Institute.

This event will be held under the patronage of the Permanent Representative of Saudi Arabia to the UN, H.E. Ambassador Abdallah Al Mouallimi & President of Community Jameel International, Fady Jameel.   For more information, to RSVP or to request a private tour, please contact:  msh@saudimission.org   After you RSVP, please bring this printed release and enter from the visitor’s public entrance on 46th Street. Volunteers will guide you to the east lounge.

Our Mothers’ House: Cultural Preservation and the Empowerment of Women Artists in Southern Saudi Arabia is sponsored by the Permanent Mission of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the UN, organized by Art Jameel, produced by Edge of Arabia and supported by The Middle East Institute in Washington DC.