“Testimonies of Life”: A Fusion of Painting and Photography in the Study of Arab Culture.

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The solo exhibition “Testimonies of Life” by artist Lavi Li and photographer Daria Kuligina, curated by Micha Shirian and Maryam Zhukava, offers an interdisciplinary perspective on the heritage and contemporary reality of Arab culture. The exhibition represents a symbiosis of authentic traditions, captured on Lavi’s painterly canvases, and a modernist vision, conveyed through Daria’s conceptual photography.

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The story of the “Testimonies of Life” project began long before its exhibition debut. It was sparked by Lavi Li’s deep scholarly interest in the Middle East, which first brought her to Egypt and later rooted her in the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

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Participation in archaeological excavations, the study of ancient monuments, extensive travel through authentic settlements, and direct engagement with local communities evolved into a large-scale series of artistic expeditions across Oman and the UAE. The artist’s primary goal became documenting and preserving the cultural fabric of the region while highlighting the importance of heritage, roots, and local identity.

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In her travels, Lavi Li follows a path of total immersion. She deliberately avoids traditional tourist routes, choosing instead to visit remote villages hidden from public view. Living alongside local communities and sharing their daily routines, she translates this anthropological experience onto canvas, preserving unique artifacts, traditions, and the very “testimonies of life” that inspired the project’s title.

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The culmination of this research was a recent multi-day expedition to Oman, undertaken by the entire creative team: Lavi Li, Daria Kuligina, and Maryam Zhukava. The journey allowed the artists to experience the culture from within and transform their observations into a powerful visual manifesto.

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At the heart of the exhibition stands a Gaf tree, a sacred symbol of genesis, connection to ancestors, and the source of life. The installation also serves as a tribute to the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Positioned opposite his portrait, the tree unites themes of nature, history, and the human spirit.

For Lavi Li, Sheikh Zayed represents far more than a historical figure. His vision, values, and understanding of the world continue to inspire her work, and she often references his legacy when speaking about culture, identity, and belonging in the UAE.

The exhibition’s tactile dimension is enriched by a collection of authentic handmade pottery collected during the artists’ expeditions. These objects serve as tangible evidence of everyday life on the Arabian Peninsula and deepen the connection between the artworks and the cultures they represent.

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Daria Kuligina’s photographs, created during the expedition, bridge the gap between ancient symbolism and contemporary visual language. Produced in collaboration with local teams in Oman, the series features locations including Nizwa Fort, the mountains of Oman, and the historic village of Wajmah.

The photographic works also explore the cultural heritage of the UAE, particularly the Emirate of Fujairah, highlighting its historic fort, traditional villages, and dramatic landscapes.

Bringing together painting, photography, installation, and authentic artifacts, “Testimonies of Life” presents a large-scale exploration of Arab culture, revealing its depth, diversity, and enduring significance through a contemporary artistic lens.

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