Arab Art of the 20th Century

Discover the untold story of the Arab World through the vibrant, resilient, and groundbreaking art of its 20th-century masters.

Sultan Al Qassemi

Educator & Scholar

Trusted by 100+ students

Arab Art of the 20th Century

Discover the untold story of the Arab World through the vibrant, resilient, and groundbreaking art of its 20th-century masters.

Sultan Al Qassemi

Educator & Scholar

Trusted by 100+ students

  • CHALLENGE THE NARRATIVE

  • RETHINK THE ARAB WORLD

  • SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE

OVERVIEW

A 4-Week Journey

Each week, we'll explore a new chapter in the rich history of modern Arab art, tracing its development across the region through live online workshops, stunning visuals, and engaging discussions.


Previous Cohort

Previous Cohort

Previous Cohort

Fall 2025

Previous Cohort

Previous Cohort

Fall 2025

Previous Cohort

Previous Cohort

Previous Cohort

Fall 2025

Current Cohort

Current Cohort

Current Cohort

Winter 2026

Current Cohort

Current Cohort

Winter 2026

Current Cohort

Current Cohort

Current Cohort

Winter 2026

Next Cohort

Next Cohort

Next Cohort

Spring 2026

Next Cohort

Next Cohort

Spring 2026

Next Cohort

Next Cohort

Next Cohort

Spring 2026

WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER

WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER

A 4-Week Journey

Week 1

The Pioneers of the Nahda

ourney back to the late 19th and early 20th century to meet the first generation of modern artists from Cairo, Beirut, and beyond. We'll explore how the "Nahda" (Awakening) sparked a new artistic vision and how these pioneers navigated between classical European training and their local environments.

Week 1

The Pioneers of the Nahda

ourney back to the late 19th and early 20th century to meet the first generation of modern artists from Cairo, Beirut, and beyond. We'll explore how the "Nahda" (Awakening) sparked a new artistic vision and how these pioneers navigated between classical European training and their local environments.

Week 1

The Pioneers of the Nahda

ourney back to the late 19th and early 20th century to meet the first generation of modern artists from Cairo, Beirut, and beyond. We'll explore how the "Nahda" (Awakening) sparked a new artistic vision and how these pioneers navigated between classical European training and their local environments.

Week 2

Forging New Identities (1950s-1970s)

Dive into the dynamic post-independence era. We'll discover the rise of influential artist collectives, from Baghdad to Casablanca, and explore the powerful Hurufiyya (calligraphy) movement as artists sought to create a modern art form that was uniquely Arab and Islamic.

Week 2

Forging New Identities (1950s-1970s)

Dive into the dynamic post-independence era. We'll discover the rise of influential artist collectives, from Baghdad to Casablanca, and explore the powerful Hurufiyya (calligraphy) movement as artists sought to create a modern art form that was uniquely Arab and Islamic.

Week 2

Forging New Identities (1950s-1970s)

Dive into the dynamic post-independence era. We'll discover the rise of influential artist collectives, from Baghdad to Casablanca, and explore the powerful Hurufiyya (calligraphy) movement as artists sought to create a modern art form that was uniquely Arab and Islamic.

Week 3

Contemporary Voices & New Media (1980s-1990s)

Explore how a new generation of artists responded to decades of profound social and political change. We'll see how they moved beyond painting to embrace new media like installation, video, and photography to address complex themes of conflict, memory, and identity.

Week 3

Contemporary Voices & New Media (1980s-1990s)

Explore how a new generation of artists responded to decades of profound social and political change. We'll see how they moved beyond painting to embrace new media like installation, video, and photography to address complex themes of conflict, memory, and identity.

Week 3

Contemporary Voices & New Media (1980s-1990s)

Explore how a new generation of artists responded to decades of profound social and political change. We'll see how they moved beyond painting to embrace new media like installation, video, and photography to address complex themes of conflict, memory, and identity.

Week 4

The Global Stage & the Diaspora

Bring the story to the present day. We'll discuss the impact of globalization, the role of art in the Arab Uprisings, and the powerful, diverse voices of diaspora artists who are shaping the conversation on the international stage and challenging perceptions of the Arab world.

Week 4

The Global Stage & the Diaspora

Bring the story to the present day. We'll discuss the impact of globalization, the role of art in the Arab Uprisings, and the powerful, diverse voices of diaspora artists who are shaping the conversation on the international stage and challenging perceptions of the Arab world.

Week 4

The Global Stage & the Diaspora

Bring the story to the present day. We'll discuss the impact of globalization, the role of art in the Arab Uprisings, and the powerful, diverse voices of diaspora artists who are shaping the conversation on the international stage and challenging perceptions of the Arab world.

Instructor

Sultan Al Qassemi

Sultan Sooud Al-Qassemi is an Emirati columnist, researcher, and art collector known for his commentary on social, political, and cultural affairs in the Arab Gulf states. He is the founder of the Barjeel Art Foundation, which promotes modern and contemporary art from the Arab world, and gained prominence as a commentator during the Arab Spring.

Al-Qassemi has also held academic fellowships and residencies at institutions like MIT, Yale, and New York University. 

GOT QUESTIONS?

GOT QUESTIONS?

Frequently Asked Question 1

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Frequently Asked Question 1

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Frequently Asked Question 1

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Frequently Asked Question 2

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Frequently Asked Question 2

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Frequently Asked Question 2

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Frequently Asked Question 3

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Frequently Asked Question 3

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Frequently Asked Question 3

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Frequently Asked Question 4

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Frequently Asked Question 4

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Frequently Asked Question 4

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Frequently Asked Question 5

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Frequently Asked Question 5

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Frequently Asked Question 5

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GET MORE INFO

GET MORE INFO

Receive everything you need to know about this course

  • CHALLENGE THE NARRATIVE

  • RETHINK THE ARAB WORLD

  • SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE

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