The socio-political dichotomies present in the media, politics and daily life stand at the centre of Saudi Arabian artist Abdulnasser Gharem’s installations, public interventions and sculptural works.

Gharem’s work is informed by his unique interpretation of the social conditions of his home country and his direct interaction with society. His process is very much rooted in communication and exploration. Gharem intentionally does not have studio space. Rather, he incorporates art into his day-to-day life, searching for opportunities for interventions in his surroundings.

Born in 1973 in the Saudi region of Khamis Mushait, site of the King Khalid Air Base, Gharem serves as a major in the Saudi army. Gharem brings a multi-dimensional understanding of the world around him to artwork that juxtaposes recognisable icons, such as road signs, political figures and trademarks, and uses everyday, mass-produced materials.

Gharem’s creations engage observers, compelling them to the question and challenge fixed ideas and customs. In his series Men at work Gharem highlights the gesture of a lone soldier within a kaleidoscope of Islamic motif and a road sign commonly found in the Middle East region. Gharem has garnered international acclaim for his work and is part of the Saudi artist initiative, Edge of Arabia.