Monument

During a visit to the Empty Quarter desert, in the southern end of the Arabian peninsula, the artist encountered a tall, bright green plant known as the Calotropis Procera. The plant, which is also referred to by other names such as the Jinn Tree, secretes a toxic milky sap when cut that is reputed to cause blindness. Al Qadiri’s encounter with this plant inspired her to create a monument honoring those affected by blindness. Throughout history, human interaction with the natural world has yielded both pain and discovery, from nourishment to poison. Her sculpture Monument explores the intertwined facts and myths shaping the understanding of nature. In addition, a video work titled The Guardian accompanies the sculpture, engaging viewers with an anthropomorphic view of the plant, fusing elements of mystery and horror within unfamiliar landscapes.

The Guardian, 2023 © Monira Al Qadiri
Monument, 2023 © Monira Al Qadiri
Presented and Commissioned by RCRC and Riyadh Art