For our third time showing at Art Geneve, we at Ayyam Gallery are delighted to present an array of works from our roster of artists.
Our booth will feature works by Abdalla Al Omari, Tammam Azzam, Thaier Helal, Roshanak Aminelahi, Rula Halawani, and our newest Khaled Akil.
Our theme to tether the works is Equanimity, a noun defined as “calmness and composure that is derived even within difficult circumstances.” It is considered a higher state of mind that arises through the cultivation of mindfulness, wisdom, and the eradication of ego-centered desires.
The chosen works dialogue, interwoven by their sharp detail, laden with metaphorical or symbolic meaning; each capturing the essence of Equanimity through a riot of brilliant hues and dynamic forms.
Tammam Azzam, an artist known for his profound explorations of the destruction and reconstruction of an image or space, showcases works that play with perspective. In his depictions of empty sites that go beyond our field of vision, he creates a topography, each fragment in his work is a piece of time, a rhythm. Tammam’s exploration of stillness and presence, empty of living beings and yet eerily familiar, permeates.
Thaier Helal’s newest works are inspired by Albert Camus’ The Myth of Sisyphus. The text examines the search for meaning in an irrational universe, recognizing the tension between our longing for meaning and a world that provides no definitive answers. Helal’s works draws on the tradition of abstraction, where the act of painting becomes a cathartic practice in itself. This organic nature and depth welcome viewers to find their interpretations and thus explorations of equanimity.
Abdalla Al Omari captures our quotidian and intimate gestures alluding to our deepest secrets and regrets. The unspoken taboos emanating through the movements, sexuality, religion, and addiction are all part of the
conversation. All along, Abdalla plays with anonymity and fearlessly confronts social intersectionality through various perspectives, invariably soliciting a lasting impact.
Roshanak Aminelahi’s portraits are evocative. The absence of facial features shifts focus from personal identity to the universal quality of inner balance. The tranquil colors of the background contrast with the vivid, swirling symbols translate the complex and often tumultuous intellectual and emotional landscapes women navigated, all through the unwavering pursuit of equanimity.
Rula Halawani’s confrontational images transcends mere documentation. Through her For Them 2 series, Halawani invites viewers to reflect on the nuanced interplay of hardship and perseverance, of both individual and collective fortitude. To boot, Rula’s For Them 2 series becomes a meditation of collective memory, identity and hope. In Rula’s work the notion of Equanimity continues to reverberate.
Khaled Akil’s fluid composition urging contemplation on the fleeting essence of life; a dynamic interplay of improvisation and control. The artworks blend hard-edged abstraction and softer painterly elements, fusing nature’s complex forms with mankind’s abstraction, resulting in visually striking combinations. The work portrays space and time and all that lies in between.
The collection celebrates the universal human pursuit of equilibrium amidst life’s challenges. In unison, the works string together to depict a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity, inviting viewers to delve into its complex narrative and discover the enduring power of art.
From Tammam Azzam’s to Thaier Helal’s contemplative spaces and Abdalla Al Omari’s profound societal commentary to Roshanak Aminelahi’s serene portraits, Rula Halawani’s evocative imagery, and Khaled Akil’s dynamic compositions, this presentation offers a compelling exploration of Equanimity.
