“GULF GRAPHICS” An exploration, elevation, and preservation of Arab pop cultural design.
TARIQ ALOBAID
“Gulf Graphics”, a term coined by Saudi cultural archivist and curator Jude AlKeraishan in 2020, captures the essence of
this shift–a shift into an interpretation of modern graphic design that incorporates a variety of the aesthetics of the
2000s, like Y2K futurism and McBling, and the technological advances of computer-based photo editing. The “Gulf
Graphics” visual language has recently gained renewed appreciation–whether ironic or sincere–on social media. However,
there is no sufficient understanding or further academic study into its history and impact, especially into how “Gulf
Graphics” intersect contemporary Arab pop culture and gender discourse.
A selection of Arab music album covers
A selection of Arab social media memes and internet art
“AY SHAY!” SEMI-IMMERSIVE EXHIBITION
A semi-immersive multichannel exhibition dedicated to displaying Gulf Graphics, utilizing two projectors and an audio speaker.
VISITORS AT THE “AY SHAY!” SEMI-IMMERSIVE EXHIBITION
“GULF GRAPHICS” Exhibition Demo.
Trimmed version of the Gulf Graphics semi-immersive exhibit visuals. Designed for Pratt Institute's MFA Thesis Exhibitions, Fall 2023.
“GULF GRAPHICS” Thesis Book
A digitally immortal centralized online archive dedicated to cataloging different instances of the “Gulf Graphics” aesthetic, developed as a need to centralize content from numerous social media accounts that post about the aesthetic.
“GULF GRAPHICS” Thesis Book
The final literary thesis output, a coffee table book-style exploration of the Gulf Graphics aesthetic, including cataloging album artwork and memes.