Self-Representation in the Arabian Gulf, Blackbird

SELF-REPRESENTATION IN THE ARABIAN GULF

Acknowledgements curators Natalie Bailey and Sally Van Gorder

The initial concept for Self-Representation in the Arabian Gulf was first presented to the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar Gallery Committee in 2005. Our proposal was made in response to the queries of VCUQatar students in the photography studio about the perception of self-portraiture, self-image, and identity in the region, and our desire to create a contemporary lens-based exhibition featuring artists working in the Arabian Gulf. We would like to express our deep appreciation to the community of artists represented in this exhibition. Their web of associations and gracious introductions allowed us to explore photographic and moving-image work that we might have otherwise overlooked or were at the time unaware of. It is our hope that we have provided a venue in which their work is valued, respected, and made visible to the community of Qatar. We are privileged to have met and worked with all of them. The exhibition would not have been possible without the assistance of several individuals and groups. We would like to thank the 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 VCUQatar Gallery Committees, Gallery director Dr. Jochen Sokoly, and the VCUQatar Faculty Research Committee for funding our travel and research. Further acknowledgments are due to Patricia Paine Gibbons and Jeff Lodge for their endless editing and proofreading; Tyrone Wilkins for coordinating our building requests; Sisenato Ocampo and Kevin Dunn for their help in arranging the exhibition’s technological needs; Brian Geary for his help with installation; and JP Reuer for his help planning the gallery layout. A special thank you is in order for Sherry Blankenship for the design of the catalog. We would also like to express our appreciation to Jamal al Moosawi Hassanovich and the British Council for sharing with us five of Camille Zakharia’s images from the Distorted Memories series.