By Talal Abueljebain
In the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a chance encounter in 2016 sparked a creative partnership that would propel two Middle Eastern artists to international acclaim. Yasmeen Al Sudairy and Rajaa Al Hajj, two visionary women whose styles seamlessly merged, have now showcased their work at the Menart Fair in Paris - a milestone not just for them, but for Kuwait-based Gallery Bawa, the institution that represents artists from our region.
Rajaa auditioned for a play in which Yasmeen was acting. Their initial connection was rooted in art, it didn’t take long for their shared passion for visual art to bring them together. "We started collaborating on a painting without any plans, and it just clicked,” Yasmeen recalled. The pair realized they had an intuitive creative chemistry, blending Yasmeen’s mechanical forms with Rajaa’s surreal, organic shapes. Their work soon became a harmonious reflection of what they describe as "organized chaos,” a dynamic concept that would define their collaborative efforts.
Intuitive Collaboration: A Reflection of Their Souls
Yasmeen and Rajaa’s artistic partnership thrives on a delicate balance of structure and spontaneity, allowing their styles to merge seamlessly. Yasmeen’s precise, mechanical forms create a sense of order, while Rajaa’s surreal, organic shapes introduce fluidity and imagination. This harmonious blend is more than just visual - it’s a reflection of their inner worlds and emotional journeys.
Yasmeen’s Postpartum (2024), for instance, explores the profound impact of the postnatal period. The deep purple color and intricate geometric forms symbolize her sense of recalibration after childbirth. "I felt like a machine recalculating itself,” she explained, referencing how the work captures her body’s internal shifts, paired along with clusters of corporal and bodily references.
Rajaa complements this with her dreamlike compositions, adding layers of emotional depth to their shared works. Together, their pieces become a fusion of the mechanical and the organic, offering a window into their souls. "It’s like we’re mirrors for each other,” Yasmeen noted, emphasizing how their work flows intuitively. Through years of collaboration, their styles have not only merged but evolved into a language that communicates both complexity and harmony - a testament to their shared creative vision.
The Menart Fair in Paris marked a new chapter for both artists. While they have previously exhibited in Saudi Arabia and Switzerland, this exhibition was different. The Menart Fair exclusively showcased female artists from the Middle East and North Africa, offering Yasmeen and Rajaa the space to present their work alongside like-minded creators from across the region. "This is our first major presentation in Paris, and we were both excited and nervous,” Yasmeen shared. "We were eager to see how our work resonated with a global audience, especially in a city known for its rich art culture.”
Rajaa echoes her collaborator’s sentiments, noting the significance of being part of a fair that celebrates female artists. "It’s empowering to be part of this collective,” she said. "We didn’t just represent ourselves, but also the many talented women artists from the Gulf.”
Gallery Bawa: Kuwait’s Rising Art Powerhouse
At the heart of this exhibition is Gallery Bawa, founded in Kuwait in 2020. This year’s participation in the Menart Fair is a monumental achievement for the gallery, as it becomes the first from Kuwait to exhibit in Paris. Bandar Al-Wazzan, founder of Bawa, sees this as a crucial step in the gallery’s mission to elevate Middle Eastern artists on a global stage. "To show artists like Yasmeen and Rajaa in an international venue like Paris is a huge honor,” Bandar said. "It’s about putting GCC artists on the map and showcasing the incredible talent coming from our region.”
For Kuwait, Bawa’s involvement in the Menart Fair is a moment of cultural pride. It not only highlighted the gallery’s success but also signaled Kuwait’s growing influence in the global art world. Through Bawa’s platform, Yasmeen and Rajaa have been able to focus more on their production as a duo, refining their work in preparation for this important exhibition.
For Yasmeen and Rajaa, the Menart Fair was more than just an exhibition. It’s a celebration of their partnership, their individual growth, and a testament to Gallery Bawa’s mission of fostering collaborative, honest, and innovative art from the Middle East. Anyone eager to follow their journey, Gallery Bawa offers ongoing updates on their exhibitions, and art lovers can explore the works of Yasmeen, Rajaa, and other GCC artists through their official platforms and social media channels.