Fresh new Arabic pop artist Corinne Martin recently revealed an exclusive painting series at DNA, a high-end lifestyle boutique in Riyadh. Born in France and raised in Lebanon, Corinne was then educated in the United States with a degree in Graphic Communications and Art History. Her work includes sculptures featured in U.S. shows such as “Proper Hygene”, “Candy From Strangers”, and “Crime Scenes”. In 2007 Corinne returned to her roots in the Middle East where she began to explore themes of Arabic popular culture through mixed media and painting.

Her paintings are characterized by bold colors using icons of Arabic popular culture that have a nostalgic twist and carry the message of “life is art.” “There is an industrial revolution happening in the middle east at the moment similar to the fifties and sixties in America. I draw my inspiration from the things that are shaping this generation of young Arabs through television, music, food, and fashion. I find everyday objects intriguing when I see them in Arabic and it’s interesting that even when they are the same objects present in the west, they have a completely different meaning to us in the Middle East. In my paintings, I aim to express this youthful energy by using the bold colors of our everyday culture in my paintings.”

Corinne Martin paintings and photography can be viewed or purchased at Cities in Centria Shopping Mall, at DNA Boutique, and are found at www.corinnemartin.com

How cool is this Saudi couple?!

I love this photo from MBN Photography taken at the opening of Munch Bakery.

Showing artwork in her first solo show in Saudi Arabia, Al Alamia Gallery is opening ‘Sand to Soul Routes’ on Saturday 24th April by British Artist Eli Acheson. More work here.

Counting Thoughts
Preview: Wednesday April 21st, 2010. The show continues until Saturday May 29th, 2010.

Counting Thoughts is an interdisciplinary group show inviting female artists of different nationalities to present works that reflect their thoughts on their own womanhood in a free context. Keeping in mind that the association to culturally specific shows comes with the burden of stereotypes, Counting Thoughts aims at taking an approach that goes beyond direct gender attribution. It is an attempt to open up a dialogue on the implications that this categorization has on the artist, curator and viewer when confronted with such a loaded and indefinable subject. Different medium are used such as video, animation, drawing, photography, sculpture and installation.

Participating artists are:

Marcela Astorga
Nastia Bolchakova
Veronica Brovall
Sirine Fattouh
Alexandra Hopf
Rasha Kahil
Hiba Kalache
Emi Miyashita
Iz Oztat

Curated by Mayssa Fattouh

Hi everyone. In case you were wondering where I’ve been, I’m in Beirut! Taking some time off to spend with family here. Beirut is as vibrant and alive as ever. Here are some photos from Beirut by Philippe Laurent. More here.

I’ve recently attended The Bastakia Art Fair in Dubai where I saw some great work. One of my favorite pieces is this photograph by Meera Huraiz entitled Metamorphosis. The exhibition includes drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, photography, video and printmaking, by young Emirati women. These young girls have alot to say. Looking forward to seeing more work come from the UAE.

I came across this beautiful image of sand dunes today that I thought would be nice edition to the blog. Saleh Rubat is a photographer and graphic designer based out of Saudi. See more of his work here.

Here it is all finished and oh so retro.

Haifa Wehbe is a huge pop icon in the middle east.. I love these.. look at the set.. how cool is that fridge.. awesome bubblegum colors.

I’ll be keeping you posted on the latest and greatest of the ArabNet 2010 Conference. Meanwhile, check out the website here and the blog here.

ArabNet 2010 is the first international conference for the Arab web industry, bringing together leaders from across the MENA, Europe and Silicon Valley to discuss cutting-edge trends and emerging opportunities.

Through pitch sessions, the conference will feature the region’s brightest ideas and most promising Internet start-ups, and connect them with the internet ecosystem: incubators, angel investors, venture capitalists, established Internet companies, NGOs and influential bloggers

Under the patronage of H.E. the President of the Council of Ministers of Lebanon, Mr. Saad Hariri, The International Business Alliance Group (IBAG) Presents ArabNet 2010 Trends and Opportunities in Arab Web Business

25-26, March 2010
Habtoor Grand Hotel, – Beirut, Lebanon