Daniah Alsaleh (Saudi Arabia) explores memory and cultural conditioning, investigating how messages and beliefs are absorbed and transmitted through media and networks. By destabilizing everyday paradigms and deconstructing accepted meanings, she offers alternative perspectives on the ordinary and ubiquitous. Using diverse materials and computational methods, Alsaleh’s art reveals a hidden commentary on human fragility, insecurity, and vulnerability.
During her residency at Delfina, Daniah will investigate the pervasive presence of cameras in public spaces and their impact on individuals who feel uncomfortable being observed. Her research will explore the tension between the joy and spontaneity of public performances—such as dancing to music in open spaces like street performances or open-air concerts—and the anxiety of feeling scrutinized by mobile phones or public cameras.
Daniah participated in the Diriyah Biennale, Saudi Arabia (2021, 2024), and Biennale Sur, Argentina. She completed a residency with the French Embassy in Riyadh, culminating in a dual exhibition (2024), and is part of the Goethe Institute and German Archaeology Institute residency programme in AlUla, which will result in a dual exhibition in 2024. In 2019, she was awarded the Ithra Art Prize. Daniah has showcased her work in numerous group exhibitions both in the Gulf region and internationally, including the Hermitage Museum (2020) and Noor Riyadh (2022). Her latest solo exhibition (2023) explored the impact of emojis on everyday communication. She holds an MFA in Computational Art from Goldsmiths.
Daniah was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and is based between Jeddah and Riyadh.
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Please note all artist-in-residence biographies are accurate at the time of their residency. For up-to-date bios please visit the artist’s website.