Article by Hans Weber

Two Worlds – and What Lies Between

Opening of “Two Worlds and Beyond” in Prague

With Two Worlds and Beyond, two artistic positions come together that could hardly be more different—yet it is precisely this contrast that creates a compelling tension. In Vinohrady, the exhibition opens a space between present and memory, between reality and imagination—and, just as importantly, between two distinct life paths.

Regina Boquin – Structure and Quiet Confrontation

Regina Boquin, an architect and visual artist based in Prague, works at the intersection of form and responsibility. Her paintings often reflect a cubist sensibility—structured, fragmented, analytical—yet their themes are deeply contemporary.

At the core of her work lies the fragility of life and the increasingly strained relationship between humans and nature. Issues such as plastic pollution, waste, and migration are central to her current series. Particularly striking are her depictions of animals—especially birds—encountering the remnants of human civilization.

Her works are calm, almost understated—and that is precisely their strength. They do not depict dramatic catastrophe, but rather a quiet, already normalized reality.

Assem AlSabban – Diplomacy, Prague, and the Art of Reflection

Assem AlSabban brings not only a different artistic language, but also a remarkable personal trajectory.

Born in Saudi Arabia, he began his career in diplomacy. His first diplomatic mission brought him to Prague—a posting that would prove decisive. What initially seemed like a temporary assignment gradually became something more permanent: Prague evolved into his chosen home.

The city, with its layered history, subtle melancholy, and rich café culture, has profoundly shaped his development.

While his diplomatic career was defined by protocol, structure, and representation, a parallel path was quietly emerging—one driven by artistic expression. Over time, this creative impulse became increasingly central, gradually shifting his focus away from the formal world of diplomacy toward a more personal and open visual language.

Today, that transformation is clearly visible.

AlSabban works with photography, digital collage, and poetic visual storytelling. His images are layered, dreamlike, and filled with quiet symbolism. They do not offer direct narratives but rather invite contemplation.

At the same time, he has—almost archetypically—become a “café person” in the European sense. In Prague’s cafés, he observes, reflects, and develops ideas. These spaces are not merely settings, but creative laboratories where fleeting impressions are distilled into visual form.

His work revolves around themes of memory, identity, and belonging. Figures often appear detached, surrounded by symbolic elements—birds, colors, fragments of the human form. These are visual poems rather than statements.

In contrast to his diplomatic past, a fascinating tension emerges:
from external representation to internal reflection,
from clear messaging to layered ambiguity.

Two Perspectives – One Shared Space

The strength of this exhibition lies in the dialogue between the two artists.

Boquin presents the external world—structured, tangible, and socially grounded.
AlSabban opens the internal dimension—memory, emotion, and identity.

Together, they create a space between what we see and what we carry within.

Exhibition Details

The exhibition runs until April 26, 2026, and all artworks are available for purchase.

Venue: 2 deci Vinohrady
Opening: March 31, 2026, 6:00 PM

Conclusion

Two Worlds and Beyond is more than an exhibition—it is an encounter between two ways of seeing and two ways of living.

In particular, Assem AlSabban’s journey illustrates how a city like Prague can become more than a place of work—it can become home. And how a diplomat can gradually transform into an artist who no longer represents, but observes, reflects, and creates.

That, ultimately, is what this exhibition reveals:
not just two worlds—but the path from one into the other.