Dubai, February 17, 2008 -- Dedicated to promotion of Middle Eastern contemporary artists, Artspace Gallery will be exhibiting the works of Algerian artist Kamel Yahiaoui from Wednesday 27 February 2008 till Saturday 18 March 2008.

A truly unique artist, Yahiaoui was born in Algeria in 1966 and moved to Paris in 1989. An artist of immense diversity, Yahiaoui expresses himself through multiple mediums. The fascinating exhibition will showcase works on paper (ranging from papers handmade by the artist to works on ready made paper objects such as maps, plates and coffee filters), sculptures composed of every day objects, paintings on canvas, clothes, rugs and slate and electrical installation pieces.

Yahiaoui once wrote: 'mon identité n'a de sens que par le voyage' (my identity only makes sense through travel). And for Yahiaoui, travel is an everyday process. Suitcases appear frequently in his work, such as in Mohamed reprend ta valise and Les ancêtres redoublent de férocité, titled after the play of Algerian writer Kateb Yacine. An avid traveller, Yahiaoui's mind appears in constant movement. He talks fast switching from one subject to another, while rarely speaking of any specific work of his. Still his energetic speech, both personal and universal, seems to translate to every one of his works.

Often inspired by his travels, Yahiaoui returned from a trip to Amsterdam unsettled by the females on display in the windows. He inserted a hard yet voluptuous looking figure made of wire, forks and other found objects into a cage. The artist's thoughts and feelings appear immediately shaped into the piece.

As an Algerian artist living in France, Yahiaoui knows about crossing borders, joys and hardships and his work addresses issues of colonisation, extremism and injustice. His cats, friends and family are mentioned and appear alongside or part of works on exile, deportation, isolation and the tragedy of politics. He speaks of his dear country - Algeria - and emotions range from great love to intense sadness.

"Every artist who exhibits in Art Space Gallery interprets their own culture and environment in their own way, whether it is through a social, political, or cultural prism that may at times appear to be similar in the end result," said Maliha Al-Tabari , Artspace Gallery director.

"Art Space's goal is to nurture the emerging art scene in Dubai. We want to create an awareness of contemporary, modern art and increase the viewers' appreciation for what the artists themselves want to portray to the world rather that what they actually observe."

A truly moving exhibition, catch a glimpse of this highly esteemed artist whose world is filled with captivating figures as he works to uncover the very essence of humankind. Kamel Yahiaoui's work is also exhibited in the Word into Art Exhibition by the British Museum, at the DIFC.

Art Space

Art Space is an art gallery located on the 9th floor of The Fairmont Hotel. Art Space is dedicated to promotion of national and international contemporary artists. The gallery caters to the taste and trends of the sophisticated Dubai art market and the gallery's discerning worldwide collector base.

The gallery's diverse clientele includes private collectors, art consultants, corporate art consultants, architects, interior designers as well as business-people, government, diplomatic and social VIPs. Art Space gallery offers the client an extraordinary opportunity to acquire and taste some of the most contemporary art.

For further information please contact:

Keren Gatty Saunt
Tel: 04 3311104
Email: keren@devents.ae

The Fairmont, 9th Floor
P. O. Box 74454,
Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 332 5523
Fax +971 4 331 4949
info@artspace-dubai.com
ArtSpace