Signs: Contemporary Middle Eastern Art is a groundbreaking exhibition that provides a rare glimpse into the world of Middle Eastern art. On view at the Los Angeles Art Show from January 20-24 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the exhibition presents the work of seven influential and respected artists from numerous countries in the Middle East. This will be the only West-Coast Showing of the Signs exhibition.

Curated by noted art historian and Curator Karin von Roques in association with Sundaram Tagore Gallery, the exhibition explores the role of traditional Islamic calligraphy and symbols in the contemporary Arab consciousness. Grappling with aesthetic philosophy, mysticism, tradition, and issues of everyday survival and existence, all seven artists challenge convention and create new visual language. Word art has had a lasting impression on the Los Angeles art scene, beginning with Ed Ruscha’s “liquid word” paintings of the 60s. The Signs exhibition illustrates the beauty and impact of writing traditions across the world.

Participating artists include Ahmad Moualla (Syria); Ayman El Semary (Egypt); Hassan Massoudy (Iraq); Khaled Al-Saa'i (Syria); Ali Hassan (Qatar); Georges Fikry Ibrahim (Egypt); and Yousef Ahmad (Qatar).

While the written word has played a defining role in Islamic visual culture, these artists take traditional Arabic script and symbols as their point of departure. Qatari artist Yousef Ahmad distills Arabic letters into abstract shapes and gestural marks. Syrian artist Khaled Al-Saa'I, inspired by poetry and Sufi philosophy, paints spacious landscapes in which words float, overlap and follow their own rhythm. These innovative artists offer a nuanced view of the culture of the Middle East and create complex contemporary works that draw on the spiritual depth of ancient Islamic art.

Presented by the Fine Art Dealers Association (www.fada.com), the Los Angeles Art Show takes place on January 20-24, 2010 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015. Los Angeles Art Show programming is included with show admission. For additional information about the Los Angeles Art Show, to register for a lecture or purchase online tickets, please visit www.laartshow.com. General admission to the Los Angeles Art Show is $20. General Show Dates: Thursday-Sunday, January 21-24, 2010. Opening Night Preview and Gala: Wednesday, January 20, 2010. For additional information about the Opening Night Preview or to purchase tickets, please call the Los Angeles County Museum of Art 323-857-6501. Media inquiries please contact Agnes Gomes-Koizumi at agnes@agkmedia.com or call 323-937-5488.

About the Fine Art Dealers Association: The Fine Art Dealers Association was founded in 1990 as a non-profit membership organization of respected and established dealers from across the United States. Its members are dedicated to promoting and maintaining the highest degree of professionalism, scholarship and integrity in all business conducted with colleagues, institutions and the art buying public. Membership in FADA is highly selective and by invitation only. Each member has expert knowledge of the artist or periods in which he or she specializes and maintains a corresponding inventory. In addition to demonstrating a commitment to enriching the cultural lives of their communities, members share their expertise through significant exhibitions, informative catalogs, and by offering quality works of art whose authenticity is unconditionally guaranteed. For additional information on the Fine Art Dealers Association, please visit http://www.fada.com.