Title:peace under the bombs 60x60cm Technique mixte sur toile.
Sultans are no sultans - Mourad Salem
The first exhibition «Sultans are no sultans» was first inaugurated in 2013 at Leighton House Museum in London and was part of the Nour Festival of Arts from the Middle East and North Africa. Having Tunisian, Turkish and Ottoman roots, Salem questions the Arab world’s leaders of yesteryear, which he often portrays as figures of fun. His funky and kitsch Sultans are painted on canvas surrounded with fake fur, ostrich feathers, costume jewellery, floral accessories or elaborate frames, emphasising their immaturity as figure of power, although they are portrayed with some affection. History has shown that for the most part, these were leaders who did not lead; men in power who abused their power or used religion as a tool for power. Salem’s work hints that old time may be coming back; that there are now leaders who continue to ignore the demands of the public and the requirements of our time.
