Monuments of Alfreej (2023)
Asma Belhamar
Monuments of Alfreej
2023
Site-specific installation: 3D-printed gypsum plaster
Dimensions variable
Produced by Sharjah Art Foundation
Courtesy of the artist
Overview
Asma Belhamar explores the phenomenon of the megastructure in the Emirates and its impact on the topographical memory of local landscapes through installation, experimental print, video and 3D modelling. Monuments of Alfreej (2023), her outdoor installation at Sheikh Khalid Bin Mohammed Palace, examines the South Asian origins of the building’s bordering walls, influenced by migrant labour during a timeframe predating the Emirate’s statehood. Belhamar integrates her own artwork into its dilapidated segments. Her ensuing design facilitates a transnational and intergenerational dialogue, inviting viewers to reflect on the impact of foreign labour, craftsmen and artisans on the Emirates’ architectural landscape.
