Wednesday, April 23, 2025
5:30 p.m.
Spine Auditorium (0215), between Building 4 & 5, Level 0
Join us for a panel discussion accompanying the closing reception of Daniah Alsaleh’s solo exhibition: Delicate.
Delicate unfolds as a network of suspended mixed-media sculptures, inspired by the infinite perfection of fractal patterns in nature. These patterns evoke the emergence of complex structures from simple beginnings, mirroring phenomena found in both nature and social constructs.
The installation reflects on the transformative approach to social change proposed in Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by best-selling author adrienne maree brown (who notably resists capitalising her name). Through an intricate interplay of generative digital video, paint, paper, wood, and felt, Delicate embodies the harmonious coexistence of diverse elements.
By weaving together ancient and contemporary materials, the work embraces the principle of adaptability. The use of felt—one of the oldest known textiles—alongside digital technologies reflects the resilience of nature in its perpetual dance with time.
Daniah will be in conversation with Solkem N’Gangbet, Head Office of the Arts and Senior Curator.
About Daniah Alsaleh
Daniah Alsaleh is a Saudi artist whose works delve into the intricacies of memory and cultural conditioning, exploring how societal norms and beliefs are perpetuated through media and various networks.
Her artistic practice questions everyday behavioural patterns and challenges paradigms often accepted without scrutiny, destabilising mainstream assumptions that underpin such conditioning.
Through her art, Alsaleh deconstructs accepted meanings and proposes alternative viewpoints, focusing on cultural tropes, memory, and the dichotomy between connectedness and division. Utilising a range of materials and computational techniques, her work offers analogies that open up new ways of seeing and understanding, revealing unexpected perspectives.
Alsaleh’s projects are marked by a dual nature: while visually engaging, they provide a sharp commentary on human fragility, insecurity, and vulnerability.
Born and raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Alsaleh completed her MFA in Computational Arts at Goldsmiths, University of London, in 2020. In 2019, while pursuing her studies, she was awarded the Ithra Art Prize. Her winning piece was showcased at the Dubai Art Fair and is now part of the permanent collection at Ithra: The King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture. Alsaleh has exhibited her work extensively, including in the Middle East, at the Hermitage Museum in Russia, and at BIENALSUR in South America, and Art d’Egypt, Giza. She also participated in the First Diriyah Biennale in 2021 and again in 2024. Daniah attended multiple residencies: BAI in Berlin, AlUla, Saudi Arabia, and Delfina in London.
She currently lives and works between Riyadh and Jeddah.
About the Office of the Arts
The Office of the Arts consists of a visual and performing arts team with a mission to promote art, science and culture in KAUST, the Kingdom, and in the wider global context.
For further information, contact officeofthearts@kaust.edu.sa and follow @KAUST_Arts on social media.