Curator Series

Naso Art Journal is dedicated to showcasing artists from the MENA region and fostering their presence within the global art market. In pursuit of this mission, Naso Art Journal aims to collaborate with key stakeholders in the MENA art scene. To further these efforts, the journal will introduce a monthly segment entitled the Curator Series. Through a blend of dialogues, interviews, and in-depth research, Naso Art Journal seeks to illuminate the vital contributions of individuals who operate behind the scenes. Curators serve as the lifeblood of exhibitions, connecting the artworks to their audiences; without their expertise, art shows would simply not exist. As we navigate a moment where understanding the complexities of a curator's role has never been more crucial—beyond the superficial representations often found on social media—Naso Art Journal embarks on a thoughtful exploration of what this pivotal position entails.

The Art Market segment of Naso Art Journal is committed to reshaping how we understand and engage with the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) art economy. Too often, the narratives surrounding art markets are dominated by Western frameworks, overlooking the complexity, nuance, and dynamism of regional ecosystems. At Naso, we seek to place the MENA art market in its rightful context — as a living, evolving network deeply informed by local histories, socio-political realities, and cultural ambitions.

Through this segment, we explore the forces that shape the movement, value, and visibility of MENA art — from grassroots initiatives and regional fairs to collectors, galleries, and institutions that champion artists on a global scale. We aim to highlight the infrastructure that sustains creativity, as well as the barriers that continue to challenge equitable access and representation.

The Art Market is not just about transactions; it’s about relationships, power, and possibility. By focusing on the unique market dynamics of the MENA region, Naso Art Journal contributes to a more complete understanding of how value is created, circulated, and contested in the global art world. This is a space for critical insight, regional pride, and future-facing thinking — where MENA art is not only seen, but also valued on its own terms.

Naso Art Journal is dedicated to establishing a lasting and meaningful space for Middle Eastern and North African narratives beyond the Western canon. Recognizing the vital role that art history plays in shaping our understanding of cultural identities, we emphasize the importance of highlighting both the foundational figures who crafted the early narratives and the emerging artists who are rewriting and expanding this story today. Through the “Art History” segment, we will ensure that these vital cultural moments and figures are communicated about. 

By centering around Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) art history, we aim to elevate voices that have historically been marginalized, ensuring their contributions are recognized and integrated into the broader global narrative. We understand that history is not static; it’s a living, breathing conversation that benefits from diverse perspectives and new insights. By dedicating space to both the pioneers who laid the groundwork and the innovators forging new pathways within MENA art, Naso Art Journal seeks to foster a comprehensive and enduring record of non-Western art history.

The Opinion segment of Naso Art Journal offers a space for reflection, critique, and provocation — a platform where the journal’s co-founders engage directly with the art, ideas, and exhibitions shaping the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) cultural landscape. As writers, curators, and participants in this evolving ecosystem, we use this space to respond to moments that matter: exhibitions that shift the narrative, artists pushing boundaries, and issues that demand our attention.

Our aim is not only to express our individual perspectives, but to spark dialogue and deepen collective understanding around the global presence of MENA art and artists. These opinion pieces are anchored in our experience and knowledge, while remaining open to complexity and contradiction — the very elements that make cultural discourse necessary and alive.

Whether celebrating a bold artistic gesture, challenging a curatorial framework, or unpacking broader questions of identity, representation, and belonging, the Opinion segment is where we speak candidly and critically. It is a place to think in public, to question with care, and to advocate for a more expansive, self-defined vision of MENA art in the world.