Tariq Dajani

The tradition of Arabian horses in Jordan and their power, grace, and elegance paired with the millennia-old Bedouin history: all this is central to the works of British photographer Tariq Dajani.

From his various homes around the world he has been in constant dialogue since childhood with the cultures of Europe and the Middle East, a conversation that continues to influence his photography today.

The pride and strength, character, and expression of these animals shape their importance in Middle Eastern culture. The photographic selection ranges from full-blood horses from the stables of Princess Alia bint Al Hussein, images which have been awarded international prizes, to the noble private stables of Jordan’s leading horse breeder. The genealogy of these Arabian horses can be traced back to the Bedouin’s handpicked lines, who prided themselves on the intelligence and sensitivity of their animals.

Tariq Dajani works in a studio but has also made prints of the fullbloods Jordan’s famous Wadi Rum Desert. With devotion and absolute concentration, the photographer dedicates his eye to the animals’ conduct, characteristic gestures, and sensibility, engaging them in a respectful dialogue for these portraits. In the perfectly lighted works, the full-blood animals live up to their reputation for being stalwart, sensitive, close to people, and lively. These qualities have made them one of the world’s most beloved breeds of leisure horses. Their unique stamina, rigor, and speed also make them ideal for distance sports, an arena dominated by Arabian horses.

These noble animals are considered status symbols particularly in the Arabic-speaking world; internationally they are known as the most beautiful and oldest breed of horses. Similarly the exclusive tradition of falconry has experienced a resurgence, and Tariq Dajani’s photographs are highly sought-after by many Middle Eastern private royal collections. His work enjoyed a spectacular exhibition in Dubai in 2009.

Christina Wendenburg

Solo Exhibitions

2010	Playground, LUMAS, Gallery, Köln, Germany
2009	Above Wadi Rum, Jacaranda Images, Amman
2009	Asil, solo exhibition under the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, The Empty Quarter Gallery, DIFC, Dubai
2008	Asil, solo exhibition under the patronage of HRH Princess Alia Bint Al Hussein, Zara Centre/ Jacaranda Images, Amman
2008	Arabhästen, Galleri Hippo, Stockholm, Sweden
2003	Skin, Galleri Z:e, Stockholm, Sweden

Group Exhibitions

2009	3 Dimensions, 3 Jordanian Artists, The National Museum of  Bahrain, Manama
2009	My Name is Robot, The Jam Jar, Dubai, VAE 2008    Art Abode, XVA Gallery / Harvey Nichols, Dubai, VAE
2008	Dubai World Cup, Majlis of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al   Maktoum, Dubai, VAE
2008	Creek Art Fair, XVA Gallery, Dubai, VAE
2008	DIFC Installation, The Empty Quarter Gallery, DIFC, Dubai, VAE
2006	Mind, EURO RSCG, London, UK
2005	Capture, AoP Gallery, London, UK
2003	03, AoP Gallery, London, UK
2000	Landmarks, AoP Gallery, London, UK
1999	Edge, AoP Gallery, London, UK
1994	Freedom Now, Photographers' Gallery, London, UK