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Dubai, December, 2014: Bahrain-born internationally acclaimed artist Hesham Malik's work depicting his adventures in Africa will be showcased at an art exhibition titled 'Ilat' (rain) at Showcase Gallery, Alserkal Avenue on January 12, 2015 at 7pm.
The exhibition features a collection of contemporary modern artworks which are based on the time Hesham spent with the Samburu, Gusii and Masai tribes in Kenya. The tribes shared their stories and their way of life which have been beautifully captured and depicted by Hesham in his paintings.
It is for the first time that Hesham is presenting his experiences with African tribes. As an artist he hopes his work speaks to viewers, and as it does, it will draw them into a world of those who believed and created it.
Hesham prefers to follow his own creative style and gives due credit to the African tribes for sharing their tales and stories on traditional myths, mysticism and spirituality, all of which convey the strength and power of African people.
Art, in a broad sense, has always been an integral part of African life. Every tribe has their own set of myths and spiritual stories to tell.
'Ilat' is an extraordinarily moving and intimate exhibition which gives an insight into the unique, spiritual world and imagination of the African people.
The history of African people has been obscured by a mysterious veil - territorial boundaries are difficult to define, people, life and beliefs too are difficult to define. However, all this is being brought to the public at Hesham Malik's exhibition by Showcase Gallery. This thought-provoking display unfolds stories by the tribes and reveals their unique cultural contributions.
Hesham said that, African art ensures the survival of their culture and traditions. The focus of the exhibit will be on the tales narrated by the elders of the village. The work is mostly philosophical and mystical and concerns the complexities of ancient beliefs.
A large portion of Hesham Malik's art is dedicated to the abstract and figurative; a closer look at his art reveals positivity as the story narrates the 'beginning after the end'.
One particular painting 'Kayla', depicts a figure and an absurd portrait of a young woman. This painting reflects towering love and beauty. The subject expresses energy created by the dance which is performed for the ancestors who stand in elemental vastness and grandeur in the 'Houses of God'.
The painting ‘Mchumba' (which translates to sweetheart), shows the struggle of a lover who has his lady always on his mind. She emerges from his thoughts and stays there as his protector. As believed by tribal men, life without love is incomplete, but love with struggle and pain makes life complete. This struggle leads to the realisation of soul-to-soul interaction.
Showcase Gallery is one of the first galleries to be established in the UAE (in the 1990s). Subsequently, Showcase possesses a strong reputation with art collectors and designers, whilst obtaining wide scale recognition within the Middle Eastern and African Art World.
Showcase Gallery was not solely chosen to exhibit 'Ilat' based on the gallery's well-established reputation but also because of Showcase's complimentary tributes to African art.
Showcase Gallery is commended for its acknowledgement of African art practice and has also been a major voice in communicating the works of African artists into the contemporary art sphere.
The exhibition will run at Showcase Gallery, Alserkal Avenue from January 12 to February 28, 2015 daily from 10am-6.30pm (closed on Fridays). For details log on to showcasedubai.com or call 04-379 0940.
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