Royal Society of Sculptors member Amale Freiha Khlat's "Perilous journey III" is part of the group exhibition Reflections: contemporary art of the Middle East and North Africa at the British Museum. It comprises over 100 works on paper from their collection: drawings, etchings, posters, photographs and artists’ books, by sculptors, photographers and painters who either live in the countries of their birth, or have left for a variety of reasons, including war and persecution.
If you want to understand more about the past and present of a country, there is no better place to start than contemporary art. The Middle East and North Africa saw the birth and flourishing of ancient civilisations and religions, literature, music and art. Yet in recent memory, there has also been revolution, conflict, the destruction of cultural heritage and mass migration that is still ongoing and remains one of the most troubling and defining features of our time. The stories behind the artworks in this display echo that great sweep of history, expressing reflections on the past and considering the relationship between past and present. While some artists allude to artistic or literary heritage, others speak of taboos, history and current politics and reflect on their own societies, all of which have experienced extraordinary changes in living memory.
The exhibition is in room 90 and room 43.
