Beiz on Beiz, 2021
Mixed media textiles, cotton, thread, and Ink block prints
162 x 150 cm
Collection of Misk Art Institute, Riyadh
As part of Misk Art Institute 2021 Art Grant Mishari AlNajjar displayed two distinctive representations of the architectural massing of central business district 9 (CBD 9) in downtown Kuwait City, a prominent urban block of modernist buildings, home to Kuwait's textile district, locally known as Al Blockat. AlNajjar attempts to map and document (CBD 9) in its current state before the inevitable cycle of renovation or demolition. Additionally, he explores textile as a continuous process of learning and reconstructing the skills required to work with it.
Beiz on Beiz is an assembly of stacked rectangular mittens (locally called beiz) constructed from textiles purchased from each corresponding building in the district. The beiz are arranged on a gridded textile mat with block prints representing unique architectural elements within each structure in the district. The piece documents the district's current state in terms of urban massing and the types of fabrics being sold in it.
To learn more about the Misk Art Grant and exhibit click here
Photos courtesy of Misk Art Institute, Riyadh, KSA