An exhibition of midcentury artists with Middle East and North Africa origins visits Evanston's Block Museum. Writer Dmitry Samarov takes a look. 👀
It’s rare for me to be surprised by a painting show, but I didn’t see “Taking Shape” coming. The exhibition is a generous survey of abstract art made from the 1950s to the 1980s, drawn from the collection of the Barjeel Art Foundation based in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. “Taking Shape” includes the work of over 50 artists, representing more than a dozen countries throughout the Middle East and North African region.
Much of the difficulty in contextualizing these paintings is the very different political situations in each artist’s home country. A succession of upheavals, from colonial subjugation to experiments in socialism and democracy, to lapses into theocratic rule, are the experiences under which this work evolved. In the bios of most painters included in the show, there’s time spent at art school or travel to Europe or the U.S. early in their development.
a wide-brushed evocation of Arabic letterform set on a cracked blue background. Shakir Hassan Al Said’s 1983 workBribes de CorpsAutumn in Yosemite Valley
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Auburn bracing for fistfight against ‘bully on the block’ Georgia“It’s going to be an old-fashioned fistfight,” Auburn defensive end Colby Wooden said of Saturday's matchup with defending national champions Georgia. “Roll up your sleeves, and let’s get it on.”
Read more »
Man killed when he's shot in head at Brooklyn block party, police searching for suspectIt happened at the Panamanian Pre-Independence Day Parade and Festival being held in the Flatbush section just after 10:30 p.m.
Read more »
Better Block Foundation brings a new look to GarlandThe urban design nonprofit transformed the 600 block of Clara Barton Boulevard into a street market to bring community members together.
Read more »
Fans poke fun at Yolanda Hadid’s ‘sweater weather’ style: ‘That keeps you warm?’Commenters were quick to point out that her cutout-covered turtleneck wasn’t likely block the breeze.
Read more »
Republicans urge Biden to block California's gas-powered car banMore than 150 Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Joe Biden asking him to block a move by California to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
Read more »
EU wants to know if Microsoft will block rivals after Activision dealEU antitrust regulators are asking games developers whether Microsoft will be incentivised to block rivals' access to 'Call of Duty' maker Activision Blizzard's best-selling games, according to an EU document seen by Reuters.
Read more »