Steven Naifeh, the prominent artist and biographer, returns to Abu Dhabi after 50 years with a seminal show at ArtBooth Gallery. The show ‘Found in Translation’ is ongoing until 8 December.
Steven Naifeh’s art show ‘Found in Translation: a Celebration of Geometry in the Art of the Islamic World’ opened on 8 November 2024 at ArtBooth Gallery in Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the President of the UAE and the Chancellor of UAE University. The opening was also attended by Her Excellency the U.S. Ambassador the the UAE Mrs Martina Strong, and the Ambassador of Belgium to the UAE His Excellency Mr Antoine Delcourt. The exhibition marks an important moment for Steven Naifeh, as it marks 50 years since his first exhibition in Abu Dhabi in 1975.
As I approached this writing project, I had several questions for Steven. Examining his oeuvre, the underlying Islamic influence on his forms were quite apparent, but then again, so was the body of work of Frank Stella and Donald Judd. I was curious as to how he synthesized these two influences together, or if he did at all.
Steven Naifeh was born and raised in the Middle East as the son of U.S. diplomats. He traveled and lived in the region including in Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Oman, Pakistan and Nigeria. Later on, he would take up his studies at Princeton University followed by Harvard University. He collaborated with Glenn Lowry, now Director of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, on an examination of the influence of traditional Islamic architecture. This research thread would lead him to visit Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Kuwait, Riyadh, Jeddah, Cairo, Damascus, Amman, Tunis, Algiers, Fez, New Delhi and Agra.
As I spoke with the artist about his background, he stressed the importance of his upbringing and early travels as he was exposed to the arts and architecture of the Islamic world, from ‘Moorish Spain to Mughal India’, as is often quoted. At Princeton University, he would make regular visits to the MoMA as well. Early on, he was fascinated by Frank Stella, Bridget Riley and Jesús Rafael Soto. There is a certain way one responds to an artist one loves, he would share with me. You ask yourself “what has the artist done, and what have they not done?” You try to explore painting and sculpture within the vocabulary of said artist(s). Frank Stella was also influenced by Islamic Art as he did a whole series called the Damascus Gate. “So it is not irrelevant that he too saw the relevance of Islamic art to contemporary geometric abstraction,” Steven shared with me.
Actually, what I hope I achieve is that they [the forms] are completely Islamic and also completely international, contemporary geometry. I hope that they are so completely merged that you really cannot separate them in your mind.
Steven Naifeh, artist and author
I realized it would be too simplistic to say that the art is synthesizing Islamic forms with contemporary geometric shapes, and Steven agreed with me on this.
“Simply using the verb ‘merge’ or ‘combine’ suggests that they are two separate things that are added together. Actually, what I hope I achieve is that they [the forms] are completely Islamic and also completely international, contemporary geometry. I don’t think you can extract or separate the two influences, as they are all the same thing. I hope that they are so completely merged that you really cannot separate them in your mind.”
And what about the color choices? Steven prefers colors that have a certain richness, that even change its appearance depending on where you are in front of the painting. “The choice was not in the specific color, but the kind of paint that produced a variety of color in a single shade. However, in some cases, colors seem appropriate to a specific Motif.”
The pieces featured in the exhibition showcase the power and grace of Steven Naifeh’s art, as seen in major public installations and museum collections around the world. His works are in the Abu Dhabi’s royal and other private collections, but also on view at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and the Four Seasons Hotel in Dubai.
Returning to Abu Dhabi after 50 years was very emotional for Steven, as he shared with me. On one hand, the scale of the achievement in terms of urban development and cultural institutions is overwhelming. “I feel like I was here at the beginning, and to see how much has happened is really thrilling,” he states. On the other hand, it is also impacting to see the people and the places that were so important to both him and his late parents.
I feel like I was here [in Abu Dhabi] at the beginning, and to see how much has happened [over 50 years] is really thrilling
Steven Naifeh, artist and author
His return is thanks to the efforts of Roger El-Khoury, founder and managing partner at ArtBooth Gallery, a gallery with a spirit of creativity and mobility based in both Abu Dhabi and Seoul. Roger is always in search of artists that make an impact on the art scene in Abu Dhabi and the region. The concept behind the gallery’s name is creating a dynamic, flexible platform for showcasing art in different environments. With the Steven Naifeh exhibition, as with all their exhibitions, the goal is to create a great experience from curation to marketing for the visitors, creating a good image for the gallery and the artist, and sustaining the business through good sales.
As expected, ArtBooth is participating in the annual Abu Dhabi Art Fair that launches 20 November and ongoing until 24 November. ArtBooth will be showcasing groundbreaking artists, including Steven Naifeh, Habuba Farah and Sarah Alagroobi. Abu Dhabi Art is a year-long program that culminates in the Abu Dhabi Art event annually in November. It is a diverse public engagement program and includes art, installations and public talks. It is important to stay up-to-date with the activities of ArtBooth to see the latest projects in curation and art showcasing that are relevant to the UAE and the region.
Steven Naifeh’s solo exhibition “Found in Translation” opened its doors at ArtBooth Gallery in Abu Dhabi on 8 November 2024, under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Zaki Nusseibeh. The show will remain on display until 8 December 2024. Make sure to pass by and see the show!
Steven Naifeh is also a Pulitzer-prize winning author and biographer, having written books in the form of biographies of both Vincent Van Gogh and Jackson Pollock.
ArtBooth Gallery is participating in Abu Dhabi Art 2024, featuring works by Steven Naifeh, Habuba Farah and Sarah Alagroobi. Abu Dhabi Art is ongoing from 20 until 24 November; make sure to pass by the ArtBooth display and see the artworks!
Follow the artist Steven Naifeh on Instagram here.
Follow ArtBooth Gallery on Instagram here.
Follow Abu Dhabi Art on Instagram here.
Follow the author Maie El-Hage on Instagram here.
