ATHR Gallery in Jeddah is pleased to present Winter, a solo exhibition by Ayman Yossri Daydban, a notable figure in Saudi contemporary art. On view until 26 May 2025, the show expands upon his earlier Ihramat (2012) series, in which the Ihram, a plain white cloth worn by Muslim pilgrims, is stretched over rectangular wooden panels. In this latest iteration, Daydban revisits the Ihram’s intricate patterns and delves into its cultural and spiritual significance while addressing themes of identity, isolation, and self-reflection, as well as touching on the ongoing ecological crisis.
The Ihramat series examines how a single object can unravel complex relationships between the body and the dominant economic and political structures surrounding it. For Daydban, the Ihram — a simple, flat textile — becomes a medium through which he reinterprets male bodies, painterly abstractions, and reliefs, ultimately questioning how subjectivity and identity are shaped.
In Winter, the series undergoes a transformation, connecting the Ihram to the climate crisis as a hyperobject. This term was coined by philosopher and ecologist Timothy Morton to describe phenomena that are vast, interconnected, and beyond the scope of individual human experience, such as global warming or radioactive waste. By integrating coarse yarns and fur into his works, Daydban reimagines the woven Ihram within the context of climate change, urging viewers to reflect on what is at stake in a rapidly shifting environment.
About the artist
Ayman Yossri Daydban (b. 1966, Palestine) is a prominent Saudi-Palestinian visual artist based in Jeddah. He holds a BSc in Biology from King Abdulaziz University (Jeddah) but has established himself as a multidisciplinary artist working across painting, photography, and printmaking. His surname, which translates to “watchman” or “guard,” reflects his art practice: observing both the spectator and his surroundings while maintaining a distinct sense of independence. Through his work, Daydban engages with themes of identity, collective memory, existence, belonging, and alienation.
The artist has displayed his works in many solo and group exhibitions as well as significant art events across the globe, which include Islamic Arts Biennale (Jeddah, 2023); the 1st edition of Al Diriyah Biennale (Riyadh, KSA, 2021); Hajj: The Pilgrimage to Mecca (Institut Du Monde Arabe, Paris, France, 2014); Hajj: The Journey Through Art (Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar, 2013); the Venice Biennale (Italy, 2011); and Identity (solo) (Selma Feriani Gallery, London, UK, 2011).
Daydban’s art pieces are part of prestigious public collections, such as the Guggenheim Museum (NYC, USA), Centre Pompidou (Paris), The British Museum (London, UK), and Greenbox Museum (Amsterdam, Netherlands), to name a few.
To get more information about Winter, please go to the official web page of the exhibition.
In addition, you might be interested in exploring the Islamic Arts Biennale, which is being held at the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. We would also recommend that you visit the Open-air Sculpture Museum.
