Beyond the Limits

BEYOND THE

LIMITS

FAYEZ BARAKAT 1

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FAYEZ BARAKAT BEYOND THE LIMITS

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION

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ARTIST STATEMENT

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CATALOGUE

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INTRODUCTION

In his series of paintings entitled Beyond the Limits, Fayez Barakat redefines the language of the pictorial surface, employing an impressive range of techniques and mediums to generate new meanings and aesthetic possibilities. The works embody the artist’s personal visions and feelings whilst simultaneously liberating space for the viewer to articulate their own emotionally-charged responses. Through this process, each work carries a unique message which is decided by both the artist and the viewer; the vibrant colours, expressionistic brushstrokes and explosive shapes invite readings in terms of subjectivity and raw emotion, encouraging the viewer to rise subconsciously to a higher meditative level.

The series reflects an association with the likes of Umberto Boccioni, Gerhard Richter, and Jackson Pollock, but rather than merely replicating these styles, Barakat develops aspects of them by taking the techniques of these great masters to a new dimension. Barakat is therefore driven to reach beyond his own limits, making visible on the canvas the touch of an artist whose unique technical ability is far beyond what has previously been achieved. As Barakat puts it, “There is nothing new under the sun... we as artists continuously learn from one another. What I aim to do in my art is explore the techniques of artists I favour and extend their school of practice to a higher artistic position.” It is difficult to tell the exact combination of tools Barakat uses to create such powerful effects and this ambiguity of technique means that every space of the canvas holds a new discovery. The fusion of the colours and allowing them to drip so organically is arguably an art form all in itself.

Within such a varied series, Barakat manages to create immensely individualistic pieces. In some works a constellation of fiery reds, yellows and oranges seem to explode in volcanic forms, in others a mix of blues and greens mimic water flowing from river to river, whilst some display empty areas of pure canvas beneath the tangled mix of colours, providing a sense of air in which the viewer can pause.

Simultaneously intertwined and unified in their abstraction, slashes of paint shoot upwards and melt back down the canvas, creating a climactic moment simulating a volcanic eruption before the colours settle. The upward motion of paint is representative of the artist’s developing thoughts, feelings and ideas as he creates, whereas the spaces in which the paint descends and rests, usually in the middle or bottom of the canvas, is where the viewer is meant to enter a process of discovery.

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Such a combination of simplicity and complexity brings about a realisation of harmony. A freedom of expression and unbridled energy is combined with a sense of bliss and peace, located in the spaces where the colours seem to settle.

The emphasis placed on landscapes of nature by great Asian poets, philosophers and thinkers served as a source of inspiration for Barakat when creating this series.

Some of the larger paintings seem to suggest a composite of different landscapes, both of the human psyche and of compositional elements which could be consumed as individual works when viewed up close. This level of minute and absolute detail and, more importantly, the way all of the microscopic elements fuse together, is rare to find in paintings by other artists. The smaller works are just as encapsulating and powerful as the larger canvases, with each piece in the series showcasing a technical and aesthetic sophistication. The process of reading these works becomes two-fold - each canvas is to be consumed in its entirety as a unified creation, but also as a story of many different parts which are drawn together, each compositional element symbolising a unique feeling, emotion, sensation, memory or dream.

The synergy and dynamism of these works possess a transcendental quality which offers a form of escapism when the viewer enters into a visual dialogue with the paintings. The textural quality of built up layers of paint, combined with open spaces of white canvas, promotes a desire to touch the works and feel the different physical levels of the handled surface, engaging all the senses. Each colour is supposed to represent a different vibrational frequency which resonates subliminally within the human body. Barakat’s careful colour combination enables the viewer to reach an optimal level of peace by encouraging each individual to grow out of the limits of their own personality. As the concept of peace is highly individualistic, Barakat structures the colour and movement of his paint to focus on centralising the heart chakra where everything settles within us as human beings. The colours and movement of the paint, as the pigments play across the surface in a dance, engage the viewer in a mental, physical and spiritual journey, where their own limits are exceeded. When the mind of the viewer reaches the centre of each of the works, you feel a sense of security and serenity as you discover the essence of your own inner beauty.

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ARTIST STATEMENT It is my belief that feelings, sensations, thoughts, expectations and dreams are frequencies that respond to colors, shapes and forms that are embedded in our subconscious minds.

When I paint I try to share my experiences through this vibration of colors. Discipline on my distribution of my memories is reflected in the paintings.

It is my hope that my paintings will enhance the aesthetic frequencies of the viewers to a higher level of their present consciousness, enabling them to see the beauty of their genetic impression on the abstract forms and shapes created.

The ecstasy I feel after the completion of each artwork is the basis of a new creation and a process of spiritual growth. To share this journey with my viewers is my ultimate joy in the brief experience we call life.

After a lifetime of involvement in the art world, it is with great excitement that I share with you my passion for painting. I wish to reveal my artistic creations and expand my presence in the contemporary art world. Employing a variety of exciting techniques and diverse styles, these paintings are representations of pure emotion, the delight of fantasy, and the power of color.

It is my sincere hope that you enjoy the works you see in this series and that they connect with your mind, heart and soul.

Fayez Barakat 13

BEYOND THE LIMITS

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 14” x 16” | 35 x 40 cm ES.7248_SB | ES.7246_SB | ES.7249_SB 19

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 9” x 12” | 22 x 30 cm ES.6107_SB | ES.6112_SB 21

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 16” | 30 x 40 cm ES.5746_SB 22

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 16” | 30 x 40 cm ES.6250_SB 25

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 20” x 20” | 50 x 50 cm ES.7307_SB 26

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.5828_SB | ES.5839_SB 29

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.8455_SB 31

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.5940_SB 32

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.7740_SB 35

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.7740_SB 37

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 40” x 47” | 100 x 120 cm ES.7353_SB 38

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5607_SB | ES.5684_SB 41

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5635_SB | ES.5631_SB 42

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5679_SB 45

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.7735_SB 46

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.5935_SB 48

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 60” x 60” | 150 x 150 cm ES.5348_SB 51

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 60” x 60” | 150 x 150 cm ES.5354_SB 52

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 60” x 60” | 150 x 150 cm ES.5356_SB 55

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 60” x 60” | 150 x 150 cm ES.5361_SB 56

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 40” x 47” | 100 x 120 cm ES.5356_SB 59

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.7938_SB 60

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5731_SB | ES.5743_SB 63

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5694_SB | ES.5695_SB | ES.5696_SB 67

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.7734_SB 69

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5625_SB | ES.5699_SB 70

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5701_SB | ES.5702_SB 73

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5611_SB 75

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5701_SB | ES.5702_SB 76

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5627_SB 79

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 18” x 18” | 45 x 45 cm ES.9350_SB 80

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5662_SB 83

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5672_SB 84

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5626_SB 87

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5707_SB 88

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5676_SB 91

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 40” x 40” | 100 x 100 cm ES.9350_SB 92

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 20” x 20” | 50 x 50 cm ES.9096_SB 95

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5674_SB 96

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 47” x 47” | 120 x 120 cm ES.5316_SB 99

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 47” x 60” | 120 x 150 cm ES.5291_SB 100

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 22” x 28” | 55 x 72 cm ES.9285_SB 103

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.5937_SB | ES.5918_SB 107

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5681_SB 109

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 38 x 76 cm ES.5537_SB 111

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 10” x 24” | 25 x 60 cm ES.8271_SB 113

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 10” x 24” | 100 x 150 cm ES.8953_SB 114

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 10” x 24” | 100 x 150 cm ES.8277_SB | ES.8280_SB 116

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 10” x 24” | 25 x 60 cm ES.8271_SB 119

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 60” x 70” | 152 x 178 cm ES.3570_SB 121

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.5927_SB 122

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.5820_SB 125

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.5825_SB 126

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.5954_SB | ES.5931_SB | ES.5946_SB 129

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.5938_SB | ES.5843_SB | ES.5826_SB 131

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.5837_SB | ES.5936_SB 135

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.5838_SB 137

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.7594_SB | ES.7595_SB 140

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 18” x 24” | 45 x 60 cm ES.5436_SB | ES.5461_SB 145

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 38 x 76 cm ES.5716_SB 147

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 38 x 76 cm ES.5718_SB 148

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 38 x 76 cm ES.5730_SB | ES.5719_SB 153

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 38 x 76 cm ES.5692_SB 154

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 47” x 70” | 120 x 150 cm ES.5281_SB 157

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 47” x 70” | 120 x 150 cm ES.8697_SB | ES.8747_SB 158

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.9181_SB 161

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 47” x 47” | 120 x 120 cm ES.5318_SB 162

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 40” x 40” | 100 x 100 cm ES.5331_SB 165

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 47” x 47” | 120 x 120 cm ES.5316_SB 166

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 8” x 8” | 20 x 20 cm ES.5331_SB 169

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.5872_SB 170

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5686_SB 173

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 47” x 47” | 120 x 120 cm ES.5313_SB 174

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 47” x 47” | 120 x 120 cm ES.5317_SB 177

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 47” x 47” | 120 x 120 cm ES.5561_SB 178

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 47” x 60” | 120 x 150 cm ES.5290_SB | ES.5287_SB 182

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 47” x 60” | 120 x 150 cm ES.5286_SB 184

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Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 40” x 40” | 100 x 100 cm ES.5342_SB 186

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 8.5” x 11” | 22 x 33 cm ES.5342_SB 189

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 16” x 24” | 40 x 60 cm ES.5708_SB 190

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.8454_SB 193

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.8462_SB 194

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.8465_SB 197

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.0081_SB | ES.0093_SB 201

Beyond the Limits · Vol. 1

Acrylic on canvas | 12” x 12” | 30 x 30 cm ES.0057_SB | ES.0058_SB 203

CATALOGUE Edited by: Sofia Baraya Photography by: Evelina Sarupiciute Design by: Sofia Baraya Publication date: 2023 COPYRIGHT © BARAKAT GALLERY All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form of electronic or mechanical means including storage by information or retrieval systems without written permission of the authors except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

FAYEZ BARAKAT BEYOND THE LIMITS

https://fayezbarakat.art | +44 7710 444642

LOS ANGELES

LONDON

SEOUL

941 N La Cienega Blvd.

Los Angeles CA 900069 + 1 310 859 8404

31 Brook Street, Mayfair London,W1K 4HF + 44 20 7493 7778

58-4, Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul +82 2 730 1949

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