"Cities of Conviction presents works from artists who are engaged in looking at the struggles and transformations of their society and delving into complex issues that link Utah and Saudi Arabia, such as oil, pilgrimage and the tension surrounding commercial development around important cultural and religious heritage sites. From sacred lands to the way society condemns or accepts religious practices, each unique culture connects to one another in a variety of ways."
—Jared Steffensen
Curator, Cities of Conviction
In partnership with
Release Date
August 2017
Project Artists
Locations
Utah Museum of Contemporary Art
Salt Lake City, UT United States
View the full catalogue of 'Cities of Conviction' from the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, Salt Lake City
Balqis Al Rashed was born in Riyadh, Saudi and raised in Beirut for sixteen years where she graduated from the American University of Beirut. Balqis draws inspiration from her own experiences, travels, and observations of human practices, conditions, and everyday rituals.
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In June 2016, a group of Saudi artists acted upon a dream to discover the people and diversity of America—from the East to West coast–trekking across the US interstate highway system and major cities on a mission to collaborate with the communities they encountered.
