Maha Malluh

Food for Thought 7100

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Maha Malluh, Food for Thought 7100, 2012, Cassette tapes and woode,, 60 x 110 x 10 cm (each). Art Jameel Collection. Photo by Mohamed Somji.

Artwork Details

Artist

Maha Malluh

Title

Food for Thought 7100

Date

2012

Medium

Cassette tapes and wood

Dimensions

60 cm x 110 cm x 10 cm (each)

Credit Line

Art Jameel Collection

Work Description

Maha Malluh’s work reflects the vernacular, visual culture of Saudi Arabia, and the impact global trade and consumer culture have had, and continue to have, on the country. Food for Thought 7100 consists of old cassette tapes stacked into used wooden baking trays that once stored bread. The tapes contain recordings of instructional sermons made for women by religious leaders, and the framed tapes form words ‘Haram’, ‘Aib’ and ‘Batel’, which translate to ‘forbidden by law’, ‘shameful’ and ‘inappropriate’.

Artist Biography

Maha Malluh (b.1959) lives and works between Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and London, UK. 

Maha Malluh’s work is influenced by her spiritual connection to the historic region of Najd, Saudi Arabia, with its distinctive architecture, strong religious and cultural heritage and colourful patterned textiles In recent year, Malluh has turned to mixed media installations, using found objects that are understood as symbolic of a collective, communal identity; these materials include massive chinco dishes, cassette tapes of religious lectures, discarded oil barrels and metal doors typical of the region. Malluh’s work has been exhibited in solo and group shows including at the Louvre Abu Dhabi (2017), Centre Pompidou, Paris (2016)  and the British Museum, London (2012), among other institutions.