‘Triangle (Three artists, Three countries, Three faces)’ To Open at Mojo Gallery Dubai

From Palestine, Zimbabwe and Syria, faces emerge and meet in expressive forms filled with sadness, defiance, scorn, questions and at times cries in Mojo Gallery Dubai’s upcoming exhibition ‘Triangle’ taking place from 12 January to 28 February.

Curated by Mohamed Abou Elnaga, the show reveals works by three artists: Zimbabwe-based artist Misheck Masam; Tayseer Barakat and Ismail Al Rifai. Within each rendering are faces and figures searching the surreal sky stormy with gunpowder for a sense of freedom – perhaps a moment of respite from injustice in a world shaped by the lust for power, tormented by repression and human indifference.

On display are three remarkable and unique points-of-view shaped and touched by first hand experiences. Yet all united by the enduring human spirit to pursue an existence lived with simple dignity. The distinctive work of Zimbabwe-based contemporary artist Misheck Masamvu reflects rich and fascinating influences. Kokoschka, Munch and German Expressionism come to mind. It’s as if times of turmoil possess their own artistic language imploring the artist to speak the improbable and materialise the unimaginable.

Born in an occupied land amidst large scale wars, intermittent skirmishes and endless violations, Tayseer Barakat fears for his home. Barakat has lived from Jabalieh to Ramallah, from Khayyam to Alexandria. A life of permanent displacement and uncertainty. Through the layers of his work, Barakat extracts a reality we feel we have experienced. The perpetual song of freedom that has played for thousands of years.

And lastly, the large monochromatic faces of Ismail Al Rifai remain at the centre of his artistic journey. The weeping mother, the sad sibling, the lover, the friend, all his faces reflect our collective conscious and the turmoil of our times. Al Rifai knows his loved ones are present in every detail, witness to humanity at its worst. The blue greys of his palette dominate the surface of his work and capture the smoke of conflict.

This exhibition forms the third part of the Crossings series connecting contemporary artists from Africa with artists from the Arabic world.

For more information, visit www.themojogallery.com