M’HAB, 2023
MIXED MEDIA, SCRAP METAL, LIGHT
COMMISSIONED BY ABU DHABI MUSIC & ARTS FOUNDATION
COMMUNITY PARTNERS: “INTO THE HORIZON”
Exhibitied:
WEDNESDAY 22 – SUNDAY 26 NOVEMBER, 2023 / 2 PM – 9 PM
Abu Dhabi Art, Manarat Al Saadiyat
30 November – 13 December, 2023
COP28, Expo City Dubai
About the artwork
The sound of wind, the sound of home, and the nostalgic memory of the past are layered within the sculpture. As the material pieces stack one on top of the other, a distorted portal is formed, holding space for the viewer to stand in and remember … yesterday.
The spotlight emphasises the importance of illumination and self-reflection, serving as a reminder to take a moment to remember the past. The distorted ladder sculpture speaks to the concept of repurposing and finding meaning within discarded materials that hold memories of other spaces and uses.
Created from the scrap metal of previous ADMAF projects, it rises beneath a fan which shines a spotlight on the space below, creating dynamism in the artwork; a sense of movement and motion.
During this Year of Sustainability, the symbolism in this piece invites the beholder to consider the energy of the fan, while the ladder represents progression; a journey to reach new heights.
About the artist
Rawdha Al Ketbi is an Emirati visual artist. Al Ketbi graduated with a BFA in visual arts, and minor in Curatorial Practices from the College of Arts and
Creative Enterprises at Zayed University. Al Ketbi completed the prestigiousprogram of the Salama bint Hamdan Emerging Artist Fellowship (SEAF) in
collaboration with Rhode Island School of Design, for the ‘Community and Critique: SEAF 2018/19 Cohort 6 exhibition.
Al Ketbi’s main practice involves photography, mixed media and installation art, and she predominantly works with found materials and memories
from abandoned places. Her work has been exhibited in a number of art institutions including ‘Darb’ Supported by MISK Art Grant (2022), “As Blue
As the Abyssal Depth” a site specific permanent installation in Al Faya Desert (2022) and Tashweesh, commissioned by UAE Unlimited at Maraya
Arts Centre in Sharjah (2019).
Al Ketbi exhibited Neither Visible Nor Concealed, a collaborative installation with Ayesha Hadhir and Shaikha Al Ketbi, curated by Rokni Haerizadeh,
Ramin Haerizadeh and Hesam Rahmanian in Beyond: Emerging Artists program in Abu Dhabi Art (2019). A later Version of this installation was
created in March 2020 for the launch of Foundry in Downtown Dubai, UAE. In 2021, As collaborations continued, Ayyn installation merged in Jebal
Hafeet Desert Park – Abu Dhabi Art Commissioned Artists Visual Campaign.