Houria Niati

Houria Niati (born 1948 in Khemis Miliana, Algeria) is an Algerian, contemporary artist living in London.[1] She specializes in mixed media installations that criticize Western representations of Non-Western cultures and peoples.[2] Her installations notably have live performances most commonly traditional Algerian music such as Raï, as a key visual representation of Niati's homeland and culture.[1] The installations and exhibitions joined together paintings, sculptures, drawings, photos, soundtracks, and performances.[1]

Biography

Early life

Niati grew up in French-occupied Algeria, where over one million Algerians were killed for resisting occupation.[1] When Niati was twelve years old, she demonstrated against French colonialism with her anti-colonial graffiti, which landed her in jail.[1] Niati's experiences with the French occupation and eventual revolution of her people greatly influenced her art later in life.[1]

Career

Niati moved to London in the late 1970s, where she observed Western art that depicted Algerian people, especially women, in a fictionalized and exotic way.[1] This influenced her own depictions of post-colonial cultures, nations, and people.[1] She attended Camden Arts Centre and Croydon College of Art.[3]

Exhibitions

Bibliography

Lloyd, Fran (1999). Contemporary Arab Women's Art: Dialogues of the present. London: WAL Women's Art Library. ISBN 1860645992.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Fairchild Ruggles, D. (2006). Women, Patronage, and Self-Representation in Islamic Societies. Albany: SUNY Press. p. 243. ISBN 0791493075. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  2. De Weever, Jacqueline (Spring 2004). "Review: Women, Patronage, and Self-Representation in Islamic Societies by D. FAIRCHILD RUGGLES". Arthuriana 14 (1): 114–116. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  3. Hassan, Salah M. (26 January 2013). "The Installations of Houria Niati". Project MUSE. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  4. Highet, Juliet (September 16, 2013). "Houria Niati: Identity Search". Asharq Al Awsat. Retrieved March 7, 2015.