DREAMING TOMORROW Emergeast Online Group Exhibition 1 Feb - 28 Feb 2022
Artwork by Helen Zughaib
DREAMING TOMORROW 1 Feb - 28 Feb 2022 “Love is everything and we are the pieces” - Rumi. Dreaming Tomorrow reflects the ever-evolving quest of self-exploration by inviting the viewer to embark on a journey of collective transformation of shedding and renewal. The selection of works present the multifaceted way of looking within and navigating our internal dialogue to cultivate and release all that’s holding us back. From Lara Zankoul's signature photographic surrealism to Henri Abraham Univers' internationally-acclaimed cosmic paintings, each work reflects a message of rebirth and expansion. The exhibition brings together pieces of each artist’s personal experience over the re-defining past two years. Through the portrayals of shared struggles and empathy to empowering visions into the void, Dreaming Tomorrow showcases 22 artworks that uniquely steer us away from the usual sobering events and shed light on the emergence of collective hope and optimism for a better future. The exhibition depicts the artists’ experiences highlighting a common theme of introspection by a thorough process of self-reflection. Inspired by Helen Zughaib’s participating work, ‘Dreaming Tomorrow’, this exhibition juxtaposes our present human experiences with that of our greater potential, reminding us that with a simple gaze at the moon, the possibilities of expansion through self love are limitless. The message for 2022 is bright and beautiful as we harness the power within to open doors to a beautiful tomorrow.
Participating Artists: Ahoo Hamedi Amelia Hadouchi Anas Homsi Awanle Ayiboro Hawa Ali Elham Etemadi Estabrak Haibat Balaa Bawab Helen Zughaib Henri Abraham Univers Keyvan Heydari Shovir Lara Zankoul
www.emergeast.com
M Smart Malak Mattar Mays Al Moosawi Mehrdad Jafari M’hammed Kilito Noor Abuissa Sara Tohme Sasan Nasernia Taher Jaoui Tarik Chebli Yassine Alaoui Ismaili
2
Mehrdad Jafari b.1984, Iran “The Faded Festival series consists of discarded multicoloured paper garlands of parties and festivals from the Iranian revolution. These celebratory pieces of colour and joy were confined in a basement of a home for thirty years. Dusty, desolate, faded, and ancient, they whisper in my ear, ‘we never had a true celebration on this land’.”
Faded Festival series (Diptych), Mixed media on cardboard, 30x20cm (each), 2021, USD 2000
3
Sara Tohme b.1995, Lebanon "This piece serves as a reminder to look around you and find people you love, to look up at the sky and get lost in its colours, to look up at the stars and see that they still glow. To know that everything will pass and recognise that we might feel alone, but we’re all struggling together."
We're All Struggling Under The Stars, But We're Struggling Together, Acrylic on canvas, 60x120cm, 2021, USD 2800
4
Elham Etemadi b.1983, Iran "Portraying a man and woman, geometric shapes and fluid strokes with multiple layers, this work juxtaposes harmony with stark lines. My aim is to fuse the familiar with the unfamiliar and to contrast the profound parts of life with the ordinary. In my opinion, this is how life is, sometimes it is mundane and sometimes it is surreal."
I Will Surely Be Back Tomorrow, Acrylic on canvas, 120x205cm, 2022, USD 7600
5
Close up of artwork by Elham Etemadi
M’hammed Kilito b.1981, Morocco “During the initial months of the pandemic, my father, a dentist, was unable to work. While waiting for better days, he spent most of his time composing and playing Oud and immersing himself in the pleasant recollections of his childhood by listening to and performing traditional Arabic music like Oum Kalthoum and Mohamed Abdelwahab.”
Musical Introspection, Fiction of Reality series, Photography, 60x40cm, Edition of 5, 2020, USD 2000
7
Awanle Ayiboro Hawa Ali b.1977, Ghana Capturing the expression of an innocent young woman frozen in time, a young woman who has had enough of society's inducements and unattainable expectations from her community, a woman desperately needing to share her feelings with the rest of the world - ‘Years of Yes’ focuses on the role of time in the lives of many young women.
Years of Yes, Acrylic & machine coated paper on canvas, 150x130xm, 2021, Sold.
8
Awanle in her studio in Ghana
Anas Homsi b.1987, Syria Beautiful memories, family, friends, and unforgettable moments hold a special place in the artist's heart miles away from home. Each artwork reflects an instance in time in Anas' life immortalized on his canvases. 'Someday' is a conversation wrapped in warmth and love waiting to be re-lived and felt someday soon.
Someday, Acrylic on canvas 135x135cm, 2017, USD 6300
10
Lara Zankoul b.1987, Lebanon “‘Orbit’ is part of a series entitled 'Dream' where I try to push the boundaries of photographic surrealism. This specific piece has been captured in our family home in the South of Lebanon, in Hasbaya. It is a self-portrait, portraying a woman (performed by myself) levitating in orbit with what looks like a planet. This piece tackles the idea of letting go, of full acceptance of what is, of the collective consciousness. It is only by losing any kind of resistance that we become one with the universe, that we rise above and become enlightened."
Orbit, Archival print on cotton paper, 90x90cm, Edition 1 of 5 + 2AP, 2005, USD 1800
11
Malak Mattar b.1999, Palestine 'Two Sisters' is inspired by Malak's younger sister, Jana. Malak observed how closely attached Jana became to her family during and after the last war on Gaza as a way of seeking safety and comfort, in particular, with her older sister and mentor, Malak.
Two SIsters, Oil on canvas 60x50cm, 2021, USD 2800
12
Noor Abuissa b.1989, Qatar “‘Building Reality’ is part of a new body of work that explores our sense of time; the way we can travel through our memories to return to a particular experience, imploring both our past and our dreams to launch us forward. The half circles represent this duality. The present finds itself in the space between the two worlds; a fleeting moment.”
Building Reality, Duality of Time series, Acrylic paint on wood (Diptych), 135x115cm, 2022, USD 2900
13
Noor Abuissa in her studio in Qatar
Ahoo Hamedi b.1981, Iran "My work encapsulates a visual journey into Mother Earth. Flowers, plants and birds make up borderless and hollow forms free of any definitions. I bring the essence of life with that which is intangible together to bring themes of freedom & imprisonment and birth & rebirth to the naked eye."
Untitled, Vase series, Cutting plexiglass & pen on cardboard, 40x60cm, 2021, USD 1500
15
M Smart b.1998, Iran Inspired by the menace of thought and the roars of deep belly laughter, M Smart is known for his depiction of a unique world created by his mind - a world whose inhabitants exist in their rawest form. His art bursts with paradoxical themes of aliens and apocalyptic life juxtaposed with warm colours creating a satirical blend of two worlds.
Invisible Thread, Mixed media on paperboard, 50x70cm, 2021, USD 1200
16
Sasan Nasernia b.1974, Iran "Although the void is devoid of particles, the energy contained inside it, if harnessed, has the potential to empower the world. This holds true for the mind as well. If you empty it, the universe will gravitate towards it."
Void, Acrylic on canvas, 76x61cm, 2021, USD 6500
17
Taher Jaoui b.1978, Tunisia "I want to investigate the concept of our internal monologue or inner voices, as well as the duality of the conscious and subconscious mind."
An Internal Dialogue, Oil, acrylic, & charcoal on canvas, 155x110cm, 2021, USD 9200
18
Helen Zughaib b.1959, Lebanon "As our world got smaller over the past few years, I loved to look out from our balcony, see the vastness of nature and note the changing cycles of the moon. Somehow I felt more connected, though still in isolation much of the time. The moon, to me, is a symbol of renewal, regeneration, stability and hope as we look towards tomorrow and our dreams are realized."
Dreaming Tomorrow, Archival pigment print, 76x50cm, Edition of 20, 2021, USD 1200
19
Estabrak b.1986, Iraq "Sometimes I dream of ancient worlds where fruit and bombs have never mixed. Where family, love, and freedom co-exist. Where blurred lines of nourishment and destruction do not need to exist. Where culture no longer negates safety. Sometimes, I dream of this."
Ummi, Archival print under acrylic glass mounted on aluminium Dibond, 68x120cm, Edition of 3, 2021, USD 4590
20
Keyvan Heydari Shovir b.1985, Iran For his latest body of work, Keyvan draws upon the many and various symbolisms of birds in art and philosophy. As a metaphor for flight, his latest series represents the artist’s immigration from Iran to the United States. Inspired by the literary masterpiece of Persian literature, Faird Ud-Din Attar’s poem, ‘Conference of the Birds’, Keyvan portrays a mirror to see parts of ourselves and others, flying being the metaphor of walking on the spiritual path of self discovery.
Love Birds, Acrylic and spray paint on canvas, 122x91cm, 2021, USD 3000
21
Yassine Alaoui Ismaili b.1984, Morocco Chosen for the New York Times in 2019, ‘The Door of Mogadore’ represents Yassine's renowned work as a social commentary of life in Morrocco today. Characterized by local landscapes and signature vivid flashes of colour, his contemplative photography captures a record of the lives of people and places in his hometown and beyond. Scenes are inspired by movement and space, yet are calculated with the mathematical precision of a chess master, culminating in the immortalization of ethereal moments caught in real time.
The Door of Mogadore, Morocco Not The Postcard series, Fine art Museum paper, 40x60cm, 2019, USD 1700
22
Mays Al Moosawi b.1994, Oman “Dear 2021, thank you for teaching me how to let go and trust the universe's plan.”
What’s Mine Will Find Me, Acrylic on canvas, 130x100cm, 2022, USD 4400
23
Henri Abraham Univers b.1974, Ivory Coast/France "In my mind, this trinity reflects the harmony of the earth, sun, and moon. The three components required for our planet to function and guide life on Earth. The spider - the weaver of love clutches a heart engraved with the words "I breathe in." It inspires love by spinning its web and captures people not to eat them but to adore them. The white thread ties the letters T-I-M-E-L-E-S-S - regardless of what happens in the world, the sky and stars will always be present, willing humanity's love and oneness."
Terrestrial Balance, Acrylic on canvas, 153x120cm, 2021, USD 12,000
24
Henri in his studio in London
Amelia Hadouchi b.1992, Canada/Algeria “The only thing that truly exists is the present moment. With the combination of mystery and flow, my goal is for people to ‘press pause’ on their fast-paced lives and use their creative mind to see whatever the artwork wishes to convey to them.”
Groovy, Acrylic on canvas 76x61cm, 2021, USD 2000
26
Haibat Balaa Bawab b.1952, Lebanon “Like water gives life to an arid land, the lake pours love and tenderness to its surroundings. As loved ones come together and ravel in the beauty and peace that nature provides, the ‘Love Lake’ represents joy, gratitude and generosity amongst our nearest and dearest.”
Love Lake, Mixed media collage on cardboard mounted on MDF, 70x100cm, 2021, USD 7000
27
Close up of artwork by Haibat Balaa Bawab
Tarik Chebli b.1993, Algeria/France “I'm enamoured by butterflies as they offer me hope; if only for a short period, they re-enchant my existence and encourage me to believe a little bit more in magic, the inaccessible and the holy.”
Papillons, Acrylic on canvas, 122x107cm, 2022, USD 4000
29
Tarik in his studio in Nantes
ABOUT EMERGEAST.COM Emergeast is the MENA region’s first and leading online gallery championing emerging and mid-career Middle Eastern & North African artists while empowering the latest generation of collectors through storytelling. Through a highly curated selection of MENA artists, the mission is to facilitate a platform designed for cross-cultural dialogue between art curators and collectors, – both young and seasoned – with a growing number of artists from the MENA region. Emergeast aims to break down the barriers to art collecting by facilitating access to promising artists from the region at accessible prices. With the vision of becoming the region’s chosen cultural lifestyle destination, Emergeast continues to look for innovative ways to deepen the connection between their inspiring artists and the larger art community. Emergeast’s essence lies in collaboration and elevating the collective consciousness by enhancing everyday life through art and beauty.
www.emergeast.com
31
Inspiring Artists. Aspiring Collectors.
Contact Details Email info@emergeast.com WhatsApp +971588317446
www.emergeast.com