
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
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Previous Cohort
Previous Cohort
Fall 2025
●
Previous Cohort
Previous Cohort
Previous Cohort
Fall 2025
●
Current Cohort
Current Cohort
Current Cohort
Winter 2026
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Current Cohort
Current Cohort
Winter 2026
●
Current Cohort
Current Cohort
Current Cohort
Winter 2026
●
Next Cohort
Next Cohort
Next Cohort
Spring 2026
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Next Cohort
Next Cohort
Spring 2026
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Next Cohort
Next Cohort
Next Cohort
Spring 2026
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WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER
WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER
A 4-Week Journey

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.
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.

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.
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.

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.
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.


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.
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.

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.
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.

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.
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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CHALLENGE THE NARRATIVE
RETHINK THE ARAB WORLD
SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE
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