In May 2025, the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Tashkent welcomed Muhannad Shono—one of the leading voices in contemporary Saudi art—as artist-in-residence. Raised in Saudi Arabia by Circassian migrant parents, Shono’s practice explores themes of belonging and memory, challenging fixed notions of the “natural” and “authentic.” His multidisciplinary work investigates how dominant ideological systems can produce mono-narratives and limit space for multiplicity and imagination.

Shono represented Saudi Arabia at the 59th Venice Biennale (2022) and has exhibited internationally at MACBA, Desert X, Louvre Abu Dhabi, the British Museum, and Haus der Kulturen der Welt.

In 2024, he was named a Knight of the French Order of Arts and Letters and appointed Contemporary Art Curator for the 2nd Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah. His works are held in major collections including the British Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Art Jameel, Centre Pompidou, Ithra, the Black Gold Museum, and Al-Mansouria Foundation.

During his residency, Shono is developing a new work for CCA’s upcoming inaugural exhibition.
CCA was honoured to support his practice and looks forward to sharing it with audiences soon.