Friday, 24 September 2010

My Column - Up Close and Personal - Tempo Magazine



Having just wrapped up from the ‘Ramadan Art Bazaar’ at Ghaf Gallery where I was exhibiting some of my latest works, I am now gearing up for the next crucial exhibition opening at the National Theatre on 21st September. This time around, I am exhibiting with a group of locally based artists. This is my third group show with the same group, and it is titled ‘Up Close’.

The exhibition is being held through Abu Dhabi Authority of Culture and Heritage (ADACH). It is quite an honour to be one of the select few who get to do a show through ADACH. As the exhibition title suggests, ‘Up Close’ is inspired by personal experiences. I will be showcasing artworks on canvas, and my style can be categorised as ‘Abstract Expressionist’. Technically speaking, ‘Abstract Expressionist’ as a style lays emphasis on spontaneous, automatic or subconscious creation. This style favours large canvasses, dramatic colors, and loose brushwork.

Organising and preparing for the show was a combination of hard work and fun. I attended a lot of Art Meets at other artists residences and hosted a few in my home too. Over numerous cups of tea, coffee, cookies and brownies, we mulled over possible names for the exhibition, discussed how we can make it a success, what should be the content for brochures, etc. We have been working together for the last seven months to make this a success.

'Up Close' promises to be unique and I am tremendously excited about this show because, for the first time, I and fellow artists will be interacting with viewers by giving workshops in person. For art lovers, enthusiasts and aspiring artists alike, this is a fantastic opportunity to meet the artists in person and discuss their techniques or ideas behind their work.

While to many of you the workshops may not seem extraordinary, but let me explain, we artists are intensely protective about our creative process. Strangers are generally not welcomed in artists private studios where artworks are created. A writer put it aptly when she said ‘The relationship of an artist and his or her studio is reputed to be like one between possessive lovers; a stranger in the middle is always an intrusion’. Therefore, I am sure you can fathom what a giant leap it is for me, as an individual artist, to reveal my creative process.

My workshop is on Abstract Expressionism, and I will create a new piece of artwork on canvas. I will use a combination of acrylics and oils for the painting. The days and times for the workshop are, Tuesday 28th September and Saturday 2nd October, between 4pm-6pm. These workshops are free of charge, and everyone is welcome.




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