Homes of Memory

21 January - 26 May, 2025

“Homes of Memory” is a solo art exhibition by contemporary Saudi artist Bashaer Hawsawi, showcasing her latest collaborative project that explores themes of belonging and the emotional bonds between past and present homes. The exhibition reflects Hawsawi's personal journey of reconciling heritage with contemporary life, while delving into the complex relationship between place, memory, and identity through her art.

Hawsawi also investigates the themes of cleansing, identity, and belonging, inspired by her upbringing in Makkah and Jeddah. Surrounded by the rituals of Hajj and Umrah, she reflects on the spiritual and physical purification embodied by the fabrics worn by pilgrims. These textiles, sourced from Albalad market and featuring materials from China, India, and Africa, symbolize deeper connections to culture, spirituality, and purification.
Through the use of mixed media, fabric, and ceramics, Hawsawi’s work highlights how everyday materials can shape our understanding of identity and belonging. Her art merges personal experiences with cultural practices, emphasizing how cleansing rituals help shape memory and place.
The artist invites viewers to reflect on how traditions, materials, and rituals influence our sense of self and our connection to the world around us.

Catalog

FEATURED ARTISTS

Bashaer Hawsawi

Artist

Born in 1992 in Saudi Arabia, Bashaer Hawsawi is an artist and designer based in Jeddah. Her practice weaves mixed media and found objects to explore themes of cultural identity, cleansing, belonging, and nostalgia.
Growing up in a vibrant environment surrounded by an array of materials,

Hawsawi developed a rich visual memory, shaped by the daily rituals and work practices of her parents. This early exposure to storytelling through materials remains central to her work, as she draws inspiration from her surroundings to illuminate the intricate interplay of culture, thought, and emotion.

Hawsawi earned her BFA in Sculpture and Ceramics from King AbdulAziz University in 2015. She has received grants from esteemed institutions including the Misk Art Institute, Hayy Jameel, and the Ministry of Culture of Saudi Arabia. Her work has been featured in prominent exhibitions such as Art Dubai (2024), Jeddah Art Fair (2023), Hayy Jameel (2023), Noor Riyadh Festival (2023), and Hafez Gallery (2018).
Through continuous research and experimentation, Hawsawi transforms everyday materials into vessels of memory and meaning, reflecting on the evolving human concepts of culture, identity, and belonging.

Her art captures the beauty in daily rituals, highlighting the profound connections between people, objects, and shared spaces.