F7 | Focus Asia
https://www.frieze.com/fairs/frieze-seoul
For Frieze Seoul, the gallery presents a selection of new marble inlay works by Hamra Abbas (Pakistani, b. 1976, Kuwait) including a new iteration of her magnificent large-scale series titled Mountain 6 (2023).
Abbas has for some years been experimenting with marble inlay (Pietra Dura) a decorative art form that involves the use of carefully cut and fitted coloured stones to create intricate images, breaking new ground as she pulls this traditional practice away from its historical function to create a new form of aesthetics. Her works reference Mughal architecture and its traditional use of garden motifs, where idyllic images of landscapes epitomise paradise and perfection, immortality and mortality; an earthly utopia in which humans coexist with nature in perfect harmony; she unearths the symbolic significance of nature imagery in relation to architecture and their interplay in the representation of nature and colour.
Drawing attention to the geographical origins of Lapis lazuli, particularly in Badakhshan, Afghanistan, Abbas investigates its historical significance and sheds light on its utilisation in the history of art, unravelling its cultural and artistic implications. Through her research, she uncovers the rich heritage associated with this precious gemstone, revealing its historical usage beyond its purely visual qualities.
Mountain 6 (2023) is a marble pentaptych that captures the iconic imagery of the K2 Mountain in Pakistan. The piece showcases the timeless beauty of white snow, rugged rock formations. It has come to symbolise the pursuit of perfection and truth.
Abbas' Flower Studies series, inspired by photographs she has taken on her travels, harnesses her vision to create intricate studies in marble inlay. This traditional technique, deeply rooted in the South Asian region's rich history and fine craftsmanship, becomes her medium for immortalising the essence of each wildflower in stone.
