Vladimir Antaki, born in 1980 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is a visual artist whose journey began amidst the vibrant cultural landscape of Paris. His formative years were marked by a deep passion for the arts, leading him to study art history and film at La Sorbonne. This foundational period enriched his appreciation for artistic expression and broadened his understanding of the cultural and historical contexts that shape art.
In 2003, Antaki expanded his artistic horizons by moving to Montreal, Canada, where he pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts in visual and media arts at the Université du Québec à Montréal, graduating in 2007. This time in Montreal was pivotal in refining his artistic vision and methodology, setting the stage for his later works.
Antaki’s art is deeply rooted in a reverence for cultural memory, diversity, and human connection. His celebrated series, The Guardians, is a profound testament to this commitment, paying homage to artisans and tradespeople—custodians of what he calls “urban temples.” These spaces stand as remnants of a bygone era, in stark contrast to the homogenized landscapes of modern retail.
Known for his visually striking portraits, Antaki captures the essence of these individuals and their environments, inviting viewers to explore the beauty and history of often-overlooked spaces. In 2019, his dedication to historical and cultural preservation was highlighted with the publication of a monograph on The Guardians by Kehrer Verlag, featuring a preface by Edward Burtynsky.
Antaki’s work serves as a bridge between the past and present, bringing the forgotten into the light. His exhibitions, showcased in public spaces and galleries across France, North America, Lebanon, Lithuania, the UK, and China, reach a diverse and appreciative audience.
The exhibition Parfums d'Orient (Perfumes of the East), which recently concluded in both Paris at the Institut du Monde Arabe and in Riyadh, invited viewers on a sensory journey through the perfume souks of the Sultanate of Oman and Riyadh. Featuring life-size portraits paired with soundscapes, the immersive experience reflected Antaki's dedication to preserving human stories and honoring cultural heritage.
EXHIBITIONS
2024
“Perfumes of the East”
The Saudi National Museum, Riyadh, KSA
2023
“Parfums d’Orient”
Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, France
Paris Photo 2023
Galerie Tanit, Grand Palais, Paris, France
2022
“How will it end?”
Villa Empain, Fondation Boghossian, Brussels, Belgium
2020
“Lebanon Then and Now”
Middle East Institute, Washington DC, US
Third Bienniale of Photographers
of the Contemporary Arab World
Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, France
“The Guardians” solo show
Blue Sky Gallery, Portland, Oregon, USA
2018
“The Guardians” solo show
The Alternative, Beirut, Lebanon
“Family Portraits”
M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum, Kaunas, Lithuania
“The Guardians”
Mark Hachem Gallery, Paris, France
2017
“An Honest Farewell”
Centre for Social Innovation,Toronto, Canada
“This City II”
Coldstream Fine Arts, Toronto, Canada
2016
“The Guardians”
Public installation, Paradigm Gallery + Studio, Philadelphia, USA
“The Guardians”
Toronto Nuit Blanche, Toronto, Canada
2014
“The Guardians”
Public installation, SDBSL, Montreal, Canada
“The Guardians”
Public installation across 100 cities, JCDecaux, France
ARTIST RESIDENCIES
2024
Intermix : Art & Fashion Reimagined, Riyadh, KSA
2018
Artist residency in Tverai in association with the Kaunas Photo Festival, Lithuania
2016
Artist residency in Philadelphia, Paradigm Gallery + Studio, Philadelphia, USA
PRESS / INTERVIEW
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, ‘Parfums d’Orient’ Review: Nosing Through History - Jan 2024
MIDDLE EAST EYE, À l’Institut du monde arabe, un voyage olfactif pour découvrir les parfums d’Orient - Feb 2024
TELERAMA, les meilleures expositions à voir avec des enfants à Paris - May 2024
ARAB NEWS, 'Perfumes of the East' exhibition opens to visitors at the National Museum in Riyadh - May 2024
LE MONDE, L’Orient, la grande inspiration du parfum - Oct 2023
TV5 MONDE CULTURE, Oman : Vladimir Antaki immortalise la vie des parfumeurs des souks de Salalah et de Mascate - Oct 2023
ARAB NEWS, Vladimir Antaki à l’IMA: «Mes “gardiens” ont investi le temple» de la culture - Sep 2023
FRANCE INFO, Parfums d'Orient : une exposition pour le plaisir du nez à l'Institut du monde arabe - Oct 2023
OUEST FRANCE, L'institut du monde arabe propose un voyage olfactif au coeur des parfums d’Orient - Nov 2023
OMAN TV NEWS, سلطنة عمان تشارك في معرض عطور الشرق في العاصمة الفرنسية باريس - Sep 2023
LES ECHOS, Expo à l'IMA : l'Orient, berceau de la parfumerie moderne - Oct 2023
VILLE DE PARIS, Les dix expos de la rentrée qui nous font de l'œil ! - Sep 2023
L’EXPRESS, De l’encens au oud, le parcours olfactif d'un nez orientaliste - Sep 2023
ESSENTIAL HOMME, Les parfums d’Orient résonnent à travers le temps à l’exposition de l’Institut du Monde Arabe - Sept 2023
LE PARISIEN, « Parfums d’Orient » : l’exposition qui sent bon à l’Institut du monde arabe - Sept 2023
LIBÉRATION, «Parfums d’Orient» à l’Institut du monde arabe : une entêtante odeur d’orientalisme - Sept 2023
AL ARABY TV, Sept 2023
ALIMENTATION GÉNÉRALE, « Parfums d’Orient », l’expo à voir avec son nez - Oct 2023
LE BONBON, Parfums d’Orient, découvrez (et sentez) la nouvelle exposition de l’IMA - Sept 2023
SINGULARS, Parfums d’Orient ou la civilisation des senteurs - Oct 2023
ZIG ZAG, Une expo magique et odorante autour des parfums d’Orient est à voir absolument à Paris ! - Sept 2023
THE GUARDIAN, Counter culture: shopkeepers from around the world – in pictures - Sept 2014
CNN, Portraits capture brick-and-mortar shopkeepers clinging to their trades - Sept 2014
SLATE, The Last Strongholds Against Big Box Stores Are Disappearing - Aug 2014
WIRED, Shopkeepers Around the World, Photographed With Their Wares - June 2019
RTS, "The Guardians", l'ouvrage qui place les petits commerçants sur le devant de la scène - Nov 2019
ZEIT ONLINE, Diese charmanten Kleinläden trotzen der Monotonie der Shoppingmalls - Feb 2020
CBC RADIO CANADA, Vladimir Antaki et ses "gardiens " d'une autre époque - Oct 2014
HUFF POST, Surprising Photos Of Urban Temples And The Shopkeepers Who Guard Them - May 2014
MONOCLE. The Monocle Weekly - June 2019
SPIEGEL ONLINE, Geschäfte machen aus Leidenschaft - Apr 2019
L’ORIENT LE JOUR, Dans le sillage de Vladimir Antaki, « les Gardiens du temple urbain » - Nov 2014
L’ORIENT LE JOUR, Vladimir Antaki, gardien des temples urbains - Oct 2018
L’ORIENT LE JOUR, Vladimir Antaki, gardien des oubliés - Oct 2019
L’ORIENT LE JOUR, Le Liban de 2006 à 2020, un récit en images éloquentes - Juil 2020
DAILY MAIL, Bizarre bazaars: Hidden behind piles of CDs, magazines, spare parts and other goods, incredible shop fronts from around the world - Sept 2014
DAILY MAIL, Heart-wrenching portraits show refugees in the streets of Paris as photographer seeks to highlight their plight - Apr 2018
DAILY MAIL, Captivating portraits show mom and pop shop business owners from New York to London - Apr 2019
BUZZ FEED NEWS, This Is What Small Businesses Look Like Around The World - Apr 2019
ART FOR BREAKFAST, The Guardians de Vladimir Antaki - Nov 2019
2024
“Perfumes of the East”
The Saudi National Museum, Riyadh, KSA
2023
“Parfums d’Orient”
Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, France
Paris Photo 2023
Galerie Tanit, Grand Palais, Paris, France
2022
“How will it end?”
Villa Empain, Fondation Boghossian, Brussels, Belgium
2020
“Lebanon Then and Now”
Middle East Institute, Washington DC, US
Third Bienniale of Photographers
of the Contemporary Arab World
Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, France
“The Guardians” solo show
Blue Sky Gallery, Portland, Oregon, USA
2018
“The Guardians” solo show
The Alternative, Beirut, Lebanon
“Family Portraits”
M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum, Kaunas, Lithuania
“The Guardians”
Mark Hachem Gallery, Paris, France
2017
“An Honest Farewell”
Centre for Social Innovation,Toronto, Canada
“This City II”
Coldstream Fine Arts, Toronto, Canada
2016
“The Guardians”
Public installation, Paradigm Gallery + Studio, Philadelphia, USA
“The Guardians”
Toronto Nuit Blanche, Toronto, Canada
2014
“The Guardians”
Public installation, SDBSL, Montreal, Canada
“The Guardians”
Public installation across 100 cities, JCDecaux, France
ARTIST RESIDENCIES
2024
Intermix : Art & Fashion Reimagined, Riyadh, KSA
2018
Artist residency in Tverai in association with the Kaunas Photo Festival, Lithuania
2016
Artist residency in Philadelphia, Paradigm Gallery + Studio, Philadelphia, USA
2024
“Perfumes of the East”
The Saudi National Museum, Riyadh, KSA
2023
“Parfums d’Orient”
Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, France
Paris Photo 2023
Galerie Tanit, Grand Palais, Paris, France
2022
“How will it end?”
Villa Empain, Fondation Boghossian, Brussels, Belgium
2020
“Lebanon Then and Now”
Middle East Institute, Washington DC, US
Third Bienniale of Photographers
of the Contemporary Arab World
Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, France
“The Guardians” solo show
Blue Sky Gallery, Portland, Oregon, USA
2018
“The Guardians” solo show
The Alternative, Beirut, Lebanon
“Family Portraits”
M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum, Kaunas, Lithuania
“The Guardians”
Mark Hachem Gallery, Paris, France
2017
“An Honest Farewell”
Centre for Social Innovation,Toronto, Canada
“This City II”
Coldstream Fine Arts, Toronto, Canada
2016
“The Guardians”
Public installation, Paradigm Gallery + Studio, Philadelphia, USA
“The Guardians”
Toronto Nuit Blanche, Toronto, Canada
2014
“The Guardians”
Public installation, SDBSL, Montreal, Canada
“The Guardians”
Public installation across 100 cities, JCDecaux, France
ARTIST RESIDENCIES
2024
Intermix : Art & Fashion Reimagined, Riyadh, KSA
2018
Artist residency in Tverai in association with the Kaunas Photo Festival, Lithuania
2016
Artist residency in Philadelphia, Paradigm Gallery + Studio, Philadelphia, USA