Ayyam Gallery is pleased to present An Ode to Portraiture a summer collective featuring works by Afshin Pirhashemi, Safwan Dahoul, Elias Izoli, Kais Salman, Khaled Takreti, Nihad Al Turk, and Sadik Kwaish Alfraji.
Portraiture is an art form that has existed for centuries and has evolved in many ways since its inception. It is a form of art that captures the essence of an individual and brings it to life on the canvas. A portrait can be representational, capturing the reality of an individual’s physical features or highlighting what is less obvious. Whether a realistic portrait or an abstract one, each one has the power to move us and evoke emotions.
Some portraits are incredibly realistic, capturing every detail of the subject’s face and body. These portraits allow us to see the individual as they truly are in physical form. Other portraits are more abstract, using color, light, and composition to convey the subject’s personality and emotions, and often something more profound and implicit.
This exhibition brings all portraiture styles together. Elias’ expressive figures exemplify the abstract type, while Afshin’s paintings are close to reality’s depiction.
Portraiture can also allow us to connect with individuals on a deeper level and understand their cultures, lifestyles, and society. It allows us to see beyond the surface and into the soul of the subject in a larger sense. Kais Salman’s figures critique and explore societal pressures and capitalism.
In addition to capturing real individuals’ physical features, personality, and emotions, portraits can represent fictional characters or concepts, the expression of a subconscious and inner voice—a reflection of a specific time or circumstance portrayed by the illusion of a character. Safwan Dahoul’s portraits fall under this category.
