Conceived by guest-curator Dr. Aisha Stoby and spanning the ground and first floors of Hayy Arts, the title draws inspiration from Nigerian curator and educator Okwui Enwezor’s 1994 essay of the same name, foregrounding stories too often excluded from mainstream, global modernist discourse, and offers new pathways into understanding innovation and perspectives from the region. From the calligraphic abstraction of Hurufiyya - an artistic movement exploring the calligraphic potential of Arabic script - to the experimental ethos of collectives like The Five, The Circle and Shatta Collective, the exhibition captures the spirit of innovation that defined a generation of artists who worked collectively, founded institutions, and imagined new futures for art in the Gulf.  

Nora Razian, Art Jameel’s Deputy Director and Head of Exhibitions and Programmes, commented: “‘Redrawing the Boundaries’ offers a compelling rethink of modernism and adds significantly to the study and understanding of a distinct aesthetic that developed across the Khaleej with a focus on the 1930s through to the early 2000s -- a time of state formation, nation building and social transformation.

The exhibition foregrounds the critical and foundational roles artists played in shaping institutions and cultivating creative communities during times of transformation. We are thrilled to be working with Dr. Aisha Stoby whose original research is the bedrock of the exhibition. We are grateful to Lexus Abdul Latif Jameel Motors for supporting this landmark exhibition and helping bring these important histories to wider audiences.”

Mazin Jameel, Lexus Marketing Managing Director at Abdul Latif Jameel Motors, stated: "Abdul Latif Jameel Motors has always been a supporter of artistic and cultural innovation. Our participation in the 'Redrawing Boundaries' exhibition reflects our deep commitment to promoting the arts and talents in the Kingdom and to fostering dialogue between the past, present, and future through art. We believe that art and design are key elements that contribute to shaping the identity of the region and innovating its future."

Throughout the twentieth century, the Global South and Middle East witnessed significant modernisation and development. Within these historical shifts, modern art movements emerged across the Khaleej as artists forged distinct visual languages, navigating the relationship between tradition and progress amidst urbanization and evolving national identities. ‘Redrawing the Boundaries’ highlights the parallel and intersecting practices that emerged during formative moments of cultural transformation. Many of the featured artists played crucial roles in establishing art institutions and cultivating communities across the Arabian Peninsula.  

‘Redrawing the Boundaries’ draws and expands on an earlier exhibition titled ’Khaleej Modern: Pioneers and Collectives from the Arabian Peninsula’, also curated by Dr Aisha Stoby, which took place at the New York University Art Gallery in Abu Dhabi in 2022.

Participating artists include: Abbas Al Mahroos, AbdulKarim Orrayed, Abdul Nasser Gharem, Abdul Qader Al Rais, Abdulhalim Radwi, Abdullah Al Muhrraqi, Abdullah Al Qassar, Abdullah Al Shaikh, Abdullah Hammas, Abdulrahman Al Soliman, Abdulwahed Al-Mawlawi, Ahmed Mater, Ahmed Qassim Al Sunni, Ali Al Mahmeed, Anwar Sonya, Ayoub Malinj, Balqees Fakro, Budoor Al Riyami, Ebtisam Abdulaziz, Hassan Meer, Hassan Sharif, Hussain Al Sunni, Ibrahim Ismail, Issa Saqer Al Khalaf, Jafar Islah, Jassim Al-Zaini, Abdulkarim Al Bosta, Khalid Al Budoor, Nujoom Alghanem, Hassan Sharif and Yousef Khalil, Khalifa Al Qattan, Khazaal Awad Qaffas, Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, Mohammed Ali Abdulla, Mohammed Al Saleem, Mohammed Kazem, Moosa Omar, Mounirah Mosly, Munira Al Kazi, Najat Makki, Nasser Al-Yousif, Rasheed Al Balushi, Rashid Oraifi, Sabiha Bishara, Safeya Binzagr, Saif al-Kuwari, Sami Mohammed, Thuraya Al-Baqsami and Yousef Ahmed.  

‘Redrawing the Boundaries’ at Hayy Jameel is presented with the support of Lexus Abdul Latif Jameel Motors.