Voices of the Reef, an art exhibition in Aqaba

The Voices of the Reef “Season 1” exhibition was officially inaugurated on October 31 in the Aqaba fortress in the presence of HRH Princess Rajwa Bint Ali, HE Emilija Georgieva, Ambassador of Switzerland in Jordan, HE Hamzah Hajj Hassan, Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone, and Dr Khaled Khreis, Director of the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, co-organizer of the event with the TRSC.

In a unique historic site dating from the 14th century, the exhibition features 92 original paintings, drawings, video animations and installations created by Jordanian artists Ahmad Shaweesh, Ahmad Turki, Anas Aqel, Dana Abu Khalil, Laila Hajbi, Lutfi Zayed, Salaheddin Al-Qawasmi, Sondos Abu Adas, Tamara Ahmad, and Yasmine Kurdi, and Swiss artist Maeva Rubli, who took part in the first “Season” of the project.

In Spring 2024, these 11 artists - 6 female and 5 male – invited by the National Gallery and the TRSC took part in an « immersive residency » in Aqaba, during which they had the chance to dive for the first time in their life on selected reefs, to discover coral ecosystems through their own eyes. Back in their studios in Amman and Basel, they were given « carte blanche » to translate their diving experience and emotions into original art works.

The Voices of the Reef aims to raise public awareness through Art of the uniqueness of these Red Sea corals in a long-term perspective, and the importance of preserving this common good for Jordan (and other Red Sea countries), and the whole world. Its ambition is to generate a « choral conversation for coral conservation » first throughout Jordan, then beyond, in a spirit of bridging art, science and the environment.

The official opening also took place in the presence of HE Khaled Hajjaj, Governor of Aqaba, Mr Nasser al-Zawaideh, Director of the Aqaba Marine Reserve, Mr Maher Amreyen, Director of Antiquities of the Aqaba Governorate, and Mr Yasser Al- Shawabkeh, CEO of the Aqaba Management Facilities.

Among the numerous guests were not only other VIPs such as Mrs Randa Aboul Hosn, UNDP Resident Representative in Jordan, one of the sponsors of the exhibition with among others the Swiss Jordanian Business Club, Ayla Oasis, Diverse Divers and Lacosta Hotel, but also representatives of the scientific community such as Dr Ali al-Sawalmih, Director of the Marine Science Station, TRSC partners from the University of Jordan, or representatives from local NGOs active in environmental issues.

Many kids and students from Aqaba schools and universities with their Art teachers also attended the opening, as well as local artists. Many of them are now having a chance to attend one of the 16 workshops organized by the National Gallery to their specific attention in parallel with the exhibition, with the participation of each of the Voices of the Reef artists.

The Voices of the Reef “Season 1” is open to the public daily until 12 December. It will travel and be hosted at the National Gallery in Amman in Spring 2025 while a second group of artists from new disciplines will take over for a “Season 2”.

Inspired by the TRSC, the Voices of the Reef initiative is part of the 3rd « pillar » of its activities: namely public outreach, conducted in parallel with scientific research, and education & capacity building which the TRSC has been carrying out since its creation in 2019.

The Voices of the Reef exhibition « Season 1 » is organized by the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts
Under the Patronage of HRH Princess Rajwa Bint Ali
In collaboration with with the Embassy of Switzerland in Jordan, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), the Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, and The Aqaba Marine Reserve
Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture to Jordan, UNDP Jordan, the Swiss Jordanian Business Club, Ayla Oasis, Divers Divers, Lacosta Hotel and Jordan Express Tourist Transport (JETT).

The XIVe century old Aqaba fortress, a symbol of protection for coral conservation. Hanging on one of the walls, some of the illustrations by Jordanian artist Tamara Ajlouni. © Photo Hagop Productions

H.E. Emilija Georgieva, Ambassador of Switzerland to Jordan, welcomes HRH Princess Rajwa Bint Ali in the presence of Dr Khaled Khreis, Director of the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts. © Photo Hagop Productions

HE Hamzah Hajj Hassan, Deputy-Chief Commissionner of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority. © Photo Hagop Productions

Jordanian artist Tamara Ajlouni presents her work. © Photo Hagop Productions

Jordanian cartoonist and comics artist presents his work. © Photo Hagop Productions

Jordanian painter Dana Abu Khalil presents her work. © Photo Hagop Productions

Jordanian painter Ahmad Shaweesh presents his work. © Photo Hagop Productions

Jordanian painter Sondos Abu Adas presents her work. © Photo Hagop Productions

Jordanian painter Salaheddin al-Qawasmih presents his work. © Photo Hagop Productions

Jordanian painter Ahmad Turki presents his work. © Photo Hagop Productions

Jordanian apainter Leila Hajbi presents her work. © Photo Hagop Productions

Swiss illustrator Maeva Rubli presents her work. © Photo Hagop Productions

The installation of Swiss artist Maeva Rubli. © Photo Hagop Productions

Close-up of Jordanian comics artist's work. © Photo Hagop Productions

Jordanian artist Yasmine Kurdi presents her work. © Photo Hagop Productions

The artists of the Voices of the Reef "Season 1" exhibition, with the Swiss Ambassador, the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts and TRSC representatives. © Photo Hagop Productions