Alcove: Intimate Essays on Arab Modernist Artists
Author

Published by Kaph Books
March 2024

Alcove: Intimate Essays on Arab Modernist Artists is a compilation of articles narrated by the relatives, friends, or students of modernists from the Arab world and authored by Myrna Ayad. Some essays have been featured in Remembering the Artist, a monthly series for The National, the UAE’s leading English daily. At once an intimate portrayal and recollection, the articles celebrate the lives, careers, and personas of some of the region’s pioneering artists as told by those nearest and dearest to them.

Featuring archival material and images of artworks as well as of the artists themselves – in their studios, at exhibitions, during travels and at family or social gatherings – the essays and corresponding visuals span the decades of the 1960s through to the 1980s. In presenting an otherwise untold narrative of these artists recounted by close friends and family, the articles depict new and fascinating insights about the lives of these late greats, their agonies and ecstasies, and trials and tribulations.

Alcove: Intimate Essays on Arab Modernist Artists aims to present modernist artists from as many Arab countries as possible, and also intends on publishing future volumes.   

The origin of the word, alcove, is rooted in the Arabic, al qubba, meaning a vault or chamber. The choice to name this book Alcove: Intimate Essays on Arab Modernist Artists is rooted in two reasons: on the one hand, it pays tribute to the Arab legacy, then, and now via these prized modernists; and on the other hand, the word ‘alcove’ reflects on the preciousness of the contained essays, inviting readers into a vault of prized passages.

Abu Dhabi Rising
Editor

Published by Zaabeel Printing Press LLC with Abu Dhabi Global Market
November 2023

Abu Dhabi Rising is a coffee table book commissioned by Abu Dhabi Global Market to commemorate Abu Dhabi Finance Week as well as the UAE’s 52nd national day. The 200+ page publication features a combination of archival and contemporary images of the UAE capital alongside descriptive editorial that altogether reflect on Abu Dhabi’s growth since the UAE’s establishment in 1971. Sectioned into four chapters – The Early Years, Forever Traditions, A Timeless Landscape and A Capital Rises – the eye-catching images and corresponding texts are testament to how Abu Dhabi rose across multiple sectors to become a leading Arab capital.

The Art Library
Copy Editor

Published by Rizzoli in collaboration with Misk Art Institute
June 2021 –

The Art Library is a seminal art publication series dedicated to highlighting some of the most prominent and influential modern and contemporary Arab artists with a special focus on Saudi artists. This accessible and compelling resource offers readers a comprehensive panorama of the trends that shaped the history of modern and contemporary Arab art. Edited by Mona Khazindar, Deputy for Cultural Assets and Centers and former director general of the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, four books focusing on select works in an artist’s career are released annually. The series feature contributing essays by leading curators, writers, and specialists, and is published in separate editions of Arabic and English.

As Copy Editor of The Art Library, I check and correct errors in grammar, syntax, punctuation, and spelling, ensuring the House style and tone are maintained in addition to fact-checking and proofreading. I also work closely with the Editor and Misk Art Institute on identifying artists to profile as well as qualified writers.

Sheikh Zayed: An Eternal Legacy
Author

Published by Assouline
May 2021

A highly anticipated new addition to Assouline’s best-selling Ultimate Collection, and the publishing house’s premier book on an Arab royal, Sheikh Zayed: An Eternal Legacy exhibits the unprecedented life of this internationally revered ruler, unlike any book has done before. Released in May 2021, this publication paints a portrait of a man internationally respected as an advocate of unity and an exemplar of tolerance whose greatest passions and legacies sit squarely in love of country, its people, and religion; a ruler honoured and respected in Arab countries and across the world as a symbol of vision and tolerance. The book features exclusive interviews with dignitaries, government representatives, royal family members, a foreword written by HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and never-before-seen photography.

As author of this seminal publication, my responsibilities included identifying relevant individuals, and scheduling and conducting interviews, which form the basis of my 7,000+ word essay. I was also responsible for all image collation from a multitude of sources and all caption information. Additionally, I pinpointed, and approached organisations and individuals interested in pre-purchasing the publication before its launch.

Contemporary Kingdom: The Saudi Art Scene Now
Editor

Published by Canvas Central
January 2014

The first publication of its kind to survey visual arts practices in and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, this 360-page tome presents in-depth features of the artists, collectors, patrons, galleries and initiatives that have contributed to make what is today, one of the Middle East's most exciting cultural hubs. It includes a foreword by HRH Princess Jawaher bint Majed bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, President of the Al Mansouria Foundation, and contributions from art world specialists including Chris Dercon, Director, Tate Modern; Mona Khazindar, Director General, Institut du Monde Arabe, and Dr Venetia Porter, Assistant Keeper, Department of the Middle East, The British Museum. Additional essays include those by Mohammed Hafiz, Co-founder, Athr Gallery, Jeddah; patrons Sara Ali Reza and Faisal Tamer, Stephen Stapleton, Co-founder, Edge of Arabia and Maryam Beydoun, independent curator and art advisor.

Art, Architecture, Bulgari
Managing Editor

A Canvas Production
November 2011 and November 2012

Both editions were produced alongside Bulgari’s sponsorship of Abu Dhabi Art, with the hardcover (2012) being a much larger version of the softcover (2011). Segmented into several chapters, the publication draws comparisons between Bulgari jewellery and Modern and Contemporary art and architecture. A host of recognised art protagonists contributed to the descriptions of the featured artwork and architecture. Distributed among key clientele and not for sale, the publications feature special printing effects on high quality paper.

Art: My Passion, the Collection of Their Highnesses Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikha Salama Bint Hamdan Al Nahyan
Editor

Published by Mixed Media Publishing
November 2008

Exclusively distributed among dignitaries and VIP collectors during the Art Paris Abu Dhabi Art fair, this publication showcases the collection of Their Highnesses Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan. Produced in a linen clamshell encased in a calligraphic bronze artwork by Syrian artist Mustafa Ali, the book features texts by HH Sheikha Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan, Lebanese gallerist Saleh Barakat, Iraqi artist Mohammed Ghani Hikmat and Dr Venetia Porter, Assistant Keeper, Department of the Middle East, The British Museum, among others. Published alongside a private exhibition featuring many of the works presented within, the book features Their Highnesses’ sizeable collection of Modern and Contemporary art from the Middle East, Orientalist paintings and a contingent of Impressionist and Post War art.

Van Cleef & Arpels: The Art of Magical Jewels
Managing Editor

A Canvas Production
March 2010

Produced to commemorate the House’s sponsorship of Art Dubai, this publication mirrored Van Cleef & Arpels’ exhibition at the fair. Just as the show was divided into seven galleries, so too was this production that narrated the story of the House’s beginnings, milestones, celebrity endorsements, its patented Mystery Setting and exclusive collections. Numerous special effects in design and execution were implemented in this award-winning publication that was distributed to private individuals.

Emaar Art Symposium
Special Projects Manager

Published by Mixed Media Publishing
August 2007

This hardcover publication documents the real estate company’s third art symposium, which brought together artists from the Middle East, North Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas to Dubai. Over a period of four weeks that culminated in an award ceremony, the 59 painters and sculptors produced artworks that were then distributed across various Emaar properties in the Emirates. Chaptered geographically, the book presents interviews with artists grouped in their respective regions alongside images of the works in progress as well as in their final state. The not-for-sale publication was distributed to private individuals.