Mona Saudi | |
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![]() Saudi in 2013 | |
Born | |
Died | 16 February 2022 76) | (aged
Nationality | Jordanian [1] |
Education | École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, Paris (1973) |
Known for | Sculptor, publisher, activist |
Movement | Modernist |
Spouse | Hasan Batal (m. 1978) |
Children | 1 |
Mona Saudi (Arabic : منى السعودي) (1 October 1945 – 16 February 2022) was a Jordanian sculptor, publisher, and art activist.
Mona Saudi was born in Amman, Jordan. [2] Her mother was Syrian, while her paternal family had roots in Hejaz. [3] Saudi grew up in a neighbourhood that was metres away from the Nymphaeum (ancient Roman public baths). The proximity to a historic site gave her a profound respect for Jordan's ancient art heritage, as well as providing her with a source of inspiration for her sculptures. [4]
Saudi attended Zain Al-Ashraf School. [3] As a teenager, growing up in Amman, she knew that she wanted to move to Beirut, the then centre of the Arab arts scene, and become a full time artist. At the age of 17 years, she ran away from home, taking a taxi to Beirut. [4] In an interview with the Gulf News, she explained that she left home without her father's permission because in her family, women were banned from attending university. [5]
In Beirut, she met influential artists, poets and intellectuals, including Adonis, Paul Guiragossian and Michel Basbous, and became part of their social circle. [5] She held her first exhibition in a Beirut cafe, and from this raised sufficient funds to purchase a ticket to Paris. [5]
She enrolled at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris, and graduated in 1973. [6] In Paris, she began using stone as a medium for her sculpture and had been using it ever since. [5]
Saudi married Palestinian journalist Hasan (or Hassan) Batal in 1976. Their daughter Dia Batal (1978–2023) was a London-based visual artist. [3]
Saudi died on 16 February 2022, at the age of 76. [7]
Saudi mainly sculpts in stone. She used stones from around the world to create her sculptures. [8] Outside of her country, Saudi was one of the best known Jordanian artists. [9] Her subject matter explored themes of growth and creation.