In cooperation with the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, Gharem Studio and Culturunners inaugurated an exhibition at the Station Museum in Houston. "Parallel Kingdom: Contemporary Art from Saudi Arabia" is the first exhibition of a multi-city tour across the US. The exhibition explores issues and experiences faced by a generation of young Saudi artists, and is an attempt to challenge the misconceptions about modern Saudi culture perpetuated by mainstream media. The artists confront issues of Saudi identity, mainly posing and answering the question "is this really us?" This tour positions artists as cultural influencers and instigators of constructive dialogue around global issues. These conversations are framed within a context of empathy and understanding between communities in the US and Saudi Arabia. Gharem Studio aims to create a new visual language to directly engage the audience as active participants, rather than passive spectators. By utilizing multifaceted disciplines, the artists take on the role of activist; instigating change rather than talking about change and building cultural capital rather than financial capital. "Parallel Kingdom" also aims to improve relations between the people of Saudi Arabia and the global community, by generating organic dialogue through art and participation. The tour was initiated by Riyadh-based Gharem Studio in partnership with Culturunners and will launch in Houston, TX, which is considered one of the most important cities for art, education and cultural innovation. "The artists present a new intellectual paradigm that utilizes unique concepts and terminology to define the artists' role within society. Rather than analyzing art and society separately, the artists confront art as a reflection of society, positioning themselves as its mirrors," Abdulnasser Gharem said. Dr. Khalid Al-Yahya, Programs Director at the King Abdelaziz Centre for World Cultures -spearheads the tour. It will incorporate exhibitions and events at cultural institutions and universities across the United States. "We at the Centre are very excited to connect these young Saudi artists with US audiences, at this crucial time. The tour aims to provide a peer-to-peer platform for alternative discourse and cultural empathy between communities," Dr. Al-Yahya said. Participating Artists include Ahmad Angawi, Abdulnasser Gharem, Nugamshi, Ajlan Gharem, Basmeh Felemban, Telefaz 11, Ahaad Alamoudi, Sarah Abu Abdullah, Njoud Alanbari, Rashed Al Shashai, Shaweesh nd Dhafer Al Shehri.
