Due to the postponement of Art Dubai 2020, Ayyam Gallery is pleased to exhibit the commissioned works that were destined for the fair alongside the scheduled exhibition at the gallery by Rula Halawani.
The gallery is temporarily closed until further notice. The vernissage scheduled for the 23rd is thus canceled. To enjoy a virtual tour please visit alserkal.online and contact info@ayyamgallery.com for further information.
Since the late 1980s, Dahoul’s Dream series has explored the physical and psychological effects of alienation, solitude, and longing that punctuate the human experience at various stages in life. Partly autobiographical, this seminal body of work uses the formal properties of painting to recreate the subconscious sense of enclosure that surfaces during times of crisis, whether in the event of mourning, estrangement, or political conflict.
In his last body of work, with the aptly titled exhibition Still Dreaming Dahoul questions “Are we still dreaming?”. Moving away from the romanticism of dreams and the shelter they offer while still expressing himself through a subconscious voice, Safwan has awoken, and so has his protagonist, placing his voice in what seems to be a more lifelike environment metaphorically. Reality and its inconsistency are mirrored in the canvas through sharper lines and, most importantly, folds and ripples, illustrating life’s obstacles.
