Conversation with Self

Conversations with Self

Opens at Albareh Art Gallery

Exhibition Dates: 7 November – December 26, 2018
Opening Reception: Wednesday, 7 November 2018, 7 – 9 p.m.

Albareh Art Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of Conversations with Self, a group exhibition featuring the work of nine artists. The opening reception will take place at Albareh Art Gallery at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 7. 2018.

Conversations with Self features the works of Mohammed Al Mahdi, Mai Al Moataz, Hussein Al Mohasen, Jamal Al Yousif, Afshan Davenshar, Reza Doust, Mazen Khaddaj, Olivier Moriette, and Camille Zakharia.

The group show, curated around the concept of visual art as catharsis, is a survey of the different ways in which the each of the artists uses artistic production as a cathartic outlet, giving vent to pent up emotions. Working in a broad variety of media and styles, each is compelled by his or her own internal monologue.

Mohammed Al Mahdi’s works were borne of his fascination with the masterpieces of great artists and his passion for reproducing them in his own style that he describes as childlike and whimsical. Similarly, Reza Doust is inspired by the works of sixteenth century Persian artist Mirza Ali as he explores his own artistic heritage. Mai Al Moataz cites nostalgia as the driving force behind her ‘ode to the photogram.’ Hers are haunting, romantic images. Hussein Al Mohassen’s To the Untitled Time expresses his love for humanity, his yearning for peace, and his attempt to help the viewer develop a more positive perspective on a reality that may not be all that bright, while Jamal Al Yousif’s metal sculptures are a visual salve, his attempt to ‘…enrich this world, to connect the lonely, to console and revivify our wounded hearts and tired minds.’ Afshan Davenshar’s meditative Nafas Series is a visual record of her breath as she turns her attention inwards to observe that most essential sign of life. Mazen Khaddaj is inspired by human and social interactions which he then uses as a means for self-exploration and self-understanding, while Olivier Moriette begins with abstract composition which is then imbued with the impact of external issues that introduce themselves during the creation of the work. Camille Zakharia attempts to relieve the anxiety of uncertainty by obsessively creating ordered, repetitive patterns in an attempt to control some tiny aspect of his world.

Conversations with Self is intimately personal. Each artist engages the viewer in his own inner world, challenging him to not merely see, but rather sense, the artist’s own reality. The effect is unnervingly hypnotic.

Conversations with Self continues at Albareh Art Gallery till 26th December , 2018.

For more information please call us at +973 17717707 or email us at [email protected] / [email protected]