However, all were perplexed about the yellow cow. Why a cow? And why yellow? Its significance comes from a story in the Qu'ran that appealed to Mater. To apply the story to 21st century society, he developed his mass-produced Yellow Cow Products. Displayed in a room of its own, the Yellow Cow Shop features fridges full of dairy products with the Yellow Cow logo. Mater's concern was with creating a non-commercial shop with ‘ideologically free products' as a message against Western consumerism, although paradoxically, Yellow Cow merchandise, including mugs and T-shirts were available to purchase at the same time. One thing is for sure, in any case: I won't be forgetting the yellow cow any time soon.
Despite the exhibition's unexpected entrance through Phonica Records, the space underneath is surprisingly large and extremely well utilised to display Mater's works. Other highlights of the exhibition include beautifully created mixed media pieces called Illuminations, where X-ray prints are juxtaposed with painted text of verses from the Qu'ran in intricate Arabic calligraphy. One of his most profound works, entitled The Evolution of Man, depicts X-rays progressing from a man's suicide attempt who transforms into a petrol pump, thus conveying a powerful message regarding man's dependency on oil. This issue is particularly of importance in Mater's home region of south west Arabia.
One of Saudi Arabia's most successful young artists and a key player in the contemporary art scene in the Middle East, Ahmed Mater has previously exhibited work at the Venice Biennale and was also the first Saudi artist exhibited at the British Museum, in its Word into Art exhibition. His body of work incorporates painting, calligraphy, photography, installation as well as performance art. A man of many talents, Mater is a qualified GP, curator and landscape photographer as well as an artist. His work is influenced by his education and medical career as well as his Islamic heritage. Mater has managed to successfully merge his passion for science and art thereby bringing to his work a unique originality that fuses references to faith, medicine and Arabic culture.
Accompanying the exhibition is a visual arts book with Mater's iconic yellow cow gracing the cover. Published by Edward Booth-Clibborn, it features contributions from notable members of the art world, including the British Museum's Venetia Porter, Linda Komaroff, Stephen Stapleton and many others.
So, I suggest that if you like the sound of contemporary art that is aesthetically spectacular as well as politically and socially relevant, go to Soho and make the most of this rare opportunity.
However, all were perplexed about the yellow cow. Why a cow? And why yellow? Its significance comes from a story in the Qu'ran that appealed to Mater. To apply the story to 21st century society, he developed his mass-produced Yellow Cow Products. Displayed in a room of its own, the Yellow Cow Shop features fridges full of dairy products with the Yellow Cow logo. Mater's concern was with creating a non-commercial shop with ‘ideologically free products' as a message against Western consumerism, although paradoxically, Yellow Cow merchandise, including mugs and T-shirts were available to purchase at the same time. One thing is for sure, in any case: I won't be forgetting the yellow cow any time soon.
Despite the exhibition's unexpected entrance through Phonica Records, the space underneath is surprisingly large and extremely well utilised to display Mater's works. Other highlights of the exhibition include beautifully created mixed media pieces called Illuminations, where X-ray prints are juxtaposed with painted text of verses from the Qu'ran in intricate Arabic calligraphy. One of his most profound works, entitled The Evolution of Man, depicts X-rays progressing from a man's suicide attempt who transforms into a petrol pump, thus conveying a powerful message regarding man's dependency on oil. This issue is particularly of importance in Mater's home region of south west Arabia.
One of Saudi Arabia's most successful young artists and a key player in the contemporary art scene in the Middle East, Ahmed Mater has previously exhibited work at the Venice Biennale and was also the first Saudi artist exhibited at the British Museum, in its Word into Art exhibition. His body of work incorporates painting, calligraphy, photography, installation as well as performance art. A man of many talents, Mater is a qualified GP, curator and landscape photographer as well as an artist. His work is influenced by his education and medical career as well as his Islamic heritage. Mater has managed to successfully merge his passion for science and art thereby bringing to his work a unique originality that fuses references to faith, medicine and Arabic culture.
Accompanying the exhibition is a visual arts book with Mater's iconic yellow cow gracing the cover. Published by Edward Booth-Clibborn, it features contributions from notable members of the art world, including the British Museum's Venetia Porter, Linda Komaroff, Stephen Stapleton and many others.
So, I suggest that if you like the sound of contemporary art that is aesthetically spectacular as well as politically and socially relevant, go to Soho and make the most of this rare opportunity.
