Lawrie Shabibi Gallery Launches Solo Exhibition By Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim
On view until 12 November, the exhibition comprises a series of new sculptures and paintings created during Emirati artist Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim’s time in isolation during the lockdown
On September 19, Alserkal Avenue’s Lawrie Shabibi launched the new season with a solo exhibition by Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim entitled ‘Memory Drum’.
For Ibrahim, Memory Drum relates to the idea of innate knowledge developed in early childhood, which the artist believes is more important than that learnt later on throughout the course of life.
Learned behaviours are something most people may lose touch with, but Ibrahim is constantly aware of the idea, especially during this time of isolation, during which his new works were created.
Image: PINKY BOULEVARD, 2020, Acrylic on canvas, 155 x 155 cm, 61 1/8 x 61 1/8 in
The exhibition presents a variety of work including recent three-dimensional scultpures in papier-maché – some rich in colour, others in nuanced natural and neutral tones, derived from leaves, grass, tea or coffee mixed into his materials.
Some of the smaller wall-based sculptures have the feel of children’s toys – such as rattles. Whereas the other free-standing sculptures evoke humanoid figures.
Also featured are new series of paintings, Flowers and Boulevards. Both are rooted in Ibrahim’s previous semi-figural paintings of symbols.
Image: UNTITLED, 2020, Acrylic on paper, 41 x 28.5 cm, 16 1/8 x 11 1/4 in
Representing growth, the same forms become either flowers or towering trees, depending upon context: the paintings in the Flowers series are growing from schematic pots, whilst the Boulevards paintings recall aerial maps of cities and landscapes.
Memory Drum opens as part of Alserkal Lates – an exciting programme of new exhibitions and events at the Avenue.
For more information please visit alserkalavenue.ae
Lead Image: DANCER CONTESSA, 2020, Cardboard, tarp, twine, papier-mâché, tobacco, coffee, leaves, 120.5 x 62 x 42 cm 47 1/2 x 24 3/8 x 16 1/2 in.
