NADA SHABOUT: The Challenge of Visual Literacy in Modern and Contemporary Arab Art

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Abstract

Nada Shabout is an ardent scholar and advocate for including Arab art in studying and teaching art history. Since Arab art does not conform to Western notions of what is modern, learning to ‘read’ it cannot rely on traditional visual literacy approaches since it does not fit easily into the Western definitions of modern and contemporary art. Additionally, Arab art and Islamic art are frequently viewed as being one and the same. This, according to Shabout, is a mistaken assumption; Arab artists may use Islamic imagery as a connection to their art historical record, rather than a religious message. These are visual literacy issues that Shabout addresses in her continued advocacy for Arab art and artists. Through her interviews, publications, and work with international organizations, this chapter will discuss how Shabout has helped further students’ and scholars’ knowledge of modern and contemporary Arab art.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Connecting Visual Literacy to Theory: Revisiting the Disruptions of Visual Thinkers in Education and Beyond

First Page

165

Last Page

175

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