From September 20 until September 22, the Galerie Joseph in Paris will host the fifth edition of Menart Fair.
This year, Menart Fair will focus exclusively on women artists from the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, offering an insightful reflection on both their heritage and contemporary perspectives.
Menart Fair 2024 stands out for its commitment to showcasing female talent from the MENA region, responding to a need for greater visibility of these often overlooked artists. Laure d’Hauteville, the fair’s director, explains the motivation behind this initiative: “The reality on the ground that drives us, and our curators, is the vibrancy, richness, diversity, and importance of the female art scene in the Arab-Persian regions, across several generations. This fact remains largely unknown because it’s imperceptible from the West. Menart Fair aims to contribute to this growing awareness.”
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of artistic expressions, from painting and photography to sculpture and multimedia design, with works that delve into themes such as identity, gender, exile, and the human condition.
Lebanon will be prominently featured, with innovative Lebanese artists taking center stage. Sara Badr Schmidt will showcase her woven creations at the Agial Art Gallery, while Cynthia Zahar from ZAAT in Beirut will present works focused on memory. The Emerging sector, curated by Lebanese artist and director Sama Beydoun, will feature seven promising female artists from the Middle East and North Africa, aiming to foster solidarity in these divisive times.
The Revealing sector will introduce talents such as Jordanian architect and designer Xena Kalouti, and Iranian artist Samaneh Atef, who advocates for the advancement of women’s rights in her country. Other key figures, like Tunisian artist Meriem Bouderbala and Moroccan artist Margaux Derhy, will offer their unique perspectives on contemporary society through their innovative work.
With participation from influential institutions like the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris and the Middle East Institute in Washington DC, Menart Fair aspires to spark meaningful dialogue and increase appreciation for the work of female artists from the MENA region.
