Gallery Ward has announced the opening of the solo exhibition ‘Dancing East’ by UAE based Egyptian contemporary visual artist, Ahmed Kassim. The exhibition will run from 10th April to 10th May 2017.
Kassim’s artwork combines fictional characters within landscapes that when combined portray his experience with his surroundings. His art is highly influenced by comics, urban infrastructure and contemporary culture, which allows him to create satirical perspectives of current events. ‘Dancing East’ aims to capture the social, political, ideological and cultural chaos in an otherwise rich and structured history that is evident in the mapped out Middle Eastern scenery.
Ehab Ellabban, an artist and established Egyptian curator who headed the Cairo Biennial twice, is the curator of the show. Ellabban comments that Kassim ‘has a unique talent, his art work is not only bold, but thought provoking and highly intriguing.’
The concept of the show:
Throughout the past century, the Arab World and Middle East have been witnessing an era of major political and social turbulence and questions about the fate of the Middle East remain unanswered. That is precisely what pushed Kassim to take an interest in this fascinating theme. Art is considered to be the conscience of society, so in this way the exhibition aims to convey this mood from different perspectives.
Dancing East presents Ahmad Kassim’s enlightening and clever way of interacting with this subject. The young artist’s work is relevant and an important reference point as it aligns with his personal interests and beliefs. Dance leads our daily practices, reflects our relationships with one another, as individuals, as groups and as communities.
Looking beyond the diverse crowded scenes featured on Kassim’s canvases, one notices the depth and variety of the painted, alluding to reflective excess. It signifies the diversity of the objective, thus reiterating the artist’s suggested imaginary universe, much like our own realised reality. As the entire world shifts its attention to us, all we can do is dance.
About Gallery Ward:
Originating in Cairo, Gallery Ward was founded in the UAE in 2010 and is committed to introduce, showcase and promote multifaceted and compelling artistic production from the Middle East, both regionally and internationally, ensuring that Arab art receives its due significance on the global arena. Gallery Ward aims to play a central role in being a driving force behind the growth and enrichment of art from the Middle East region at large.
Gallery Ward: Dubai Design District, Unit 08, Building 4.
Opening hours: 10am – 6pm Saturday to Thursday
Website: www.galleryward.com
