An illuminating look at one of the Middle Easts most fascinating contemporary artists, this survey is the first to explore the extraordinary life and work of Saudi artist, Dr Ahmed Mater. Maters work, exhibited at the Venice Biennale and in the collection of the British Museum and Los Angeles County Museum of Art, is informed by his education and life as a medical doctor, as well as by his traditional religious upbringing and Saudi culture. His work, which encompasses photography, calligraphy, painting, installation and video, explores the narratives and aesthetics of Islamic culture in an era of globalisation, consumerism and dramatic flux. The book examines four of Maters most important artistic projects, and includes contributions from leading scholars and commentators writing from London, Riyadh, Los Angeles, Paris, Abha, Sanaa and Amsterdam. Catherine Davids foreword positions Maters work within the cultural context of the Arabian Gulf, while the books elegant design evokes the artists Middle Eastern sensibility.