Ahmed Angawi
Ahmad Angawi, a multidisciplinary creative from Makkah born in 1981. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Pratt Institute in New York and a Master’s degree in Traditional Arts from The Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in London. Being of Meccan roots, Angawi is inspired by the rich diversity of the culture of Hejaz. His work revolves around the human condition while also paying homage to culture, heritage and environment. Influenced by his father, Architect Dr. Sami Angawi, he has adopted the concept of “Al Mizan”, a belief in the fundamental principle of balance. For Ahmad, his constant pursuit of equilibrium in both design and its application is an attempt to bring balance to the human state of mind. During his travels across the Middle East, Angawi has focused on local traditional artisans and craftsmen, and studied their time-honored roles and their relationship to today’s mass-market productions. He strongly believes that industrial designers are the craftsmen of today.
Angawi is currently the Associate Director of Al Makmad Foundation, a cultural institution that aims to conserve and revive the Hejazi heritage. He is also the Founder of Zawiya 97 located in Al-Balad, the historical district of Jeddah. It is a hub of activity serving the local and wider community of artists and craftsmen. Angawi Teaches Geometry & woodwork and was the Program Director of Jameel House of Traditional Arts located in Al-Balad, the historical district of Jeddah. Angawi was also a Consultant and Program Researcher at the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH) along with Turquoise Mountain, a non-profit, non-governmental organization regenerating historic cities, and spurring the sustainable development of the traditional crafts industries. Ahmad is a co-founder of Al-Hangar, an independent artists’ initiative that provides a platform for dialogue and cultural exchange by way of exhibitions, community-oriented projects and educational programs.
Exhibitions
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2012# Cometogether, Edge of Arabia
London, UK
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2012We Need To Talk, Edge of Arabia
Jeddah, KSA
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2013Rhizoma, The 55th Venice Biennale, Edge of Arabia
Venice, Italy
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2013A Line in the Sand, Art Space
Dubai, UAE
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2014Connected: Art in Airports, Art Jameel
King Fahad International Airport, Dammam, KSA
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2015Al hangar, Besmallah
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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2016Mangour: Loved and Beloved, 21,39 & Athr
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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2016Al hangar, Maboth Al Matar, 21,39
Jeddah, KSA
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2016Shara Art fair second edition, Saudi Art council & Al Mansouria silent auction
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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2016Parallel Kingdom at Station Museum
Houston, USA
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2016Generation
San Francisco, USA
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2016Phantom punch at Bates collage Museum of Art
Lewiston , USA
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2016Athr at Abu Dhabi Art Fair
Abu Dhabi, UAE
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2016Islamic Art Festival at Sharjah Museum
Sharjah, UAE
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201721,39 Jeddah Art Fair
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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2017Retroactive impressions of Saudi Art
Riyadh,Saudi Arabia
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2017Saudi contemporary art, Qsar Alyamamh King Royal Palace
Riyadh , Saudi Arabia
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2017Epicenter X, The Arab National Museum
Detroit, USA
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2017Desert to Delta: Art Museum of the University of Memphis
Memphis, USA
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2018Saudi Contemporary Art: The Kennedy Center
Washington DC, USA
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2017Reframe Saudi: Phillips
New York, USA
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2018Mangour Screens in Al bukhary foundation gallery of the Islamic world
British Museum, London
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2019Saudi Arabia exhibition at UNESCO
Paris, France
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2020Desert X Alula: Marya Center
Al Ula , Saudi Arabia
Featured Artworks
Word Formation 2 from Pages of the book series , 2017
Word Formation 3 from Pages of the book series , 2016
2016
