Installation view, Mandy El-Sayegh: ‘A rose is a rose is a rose is a rose’, curated by Sara Raza, 22 February – 4 April 2024, Dubai. Photo by Ismail Noor of Seeing Things. Courtesy of the artist and Lawrie Shabibi.
For the 2024 edition of Art Dubai, under the curatorial theme Ecoscapes, Lawrie Shabibi showcases contemporary artists deeply rooted in process-oriented practices, exploring the dynamic relationships between forms and materials inspired by both nature and social structures, and delving into the interconnectedness of ecosystems. The works on view encourage viewers to reflect on the interaction between artistic interpretation and the intricate dynamics present in both the natural world and societies at large.
Our curatorial focus unites artists from diverse cultural backgrounds and various artistic disciplines, including sculptors, installation artists, and mixed-media practitioners. Artists Hamra Abbas, Nabil Nahas, Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, engage in a collective exploration, seeking innovative ways to integrate elements from the natural world into their creations. This integration is expressed through the use of organic materials, the inclusion of earthy textures, or the precise replication of natural forms using traditional techniques. In a parallel vein, Shaikha Al-Mazrou, Timo Nasseri and Ishmael Randall-Weeks focus on construction processes. The chosen artworks serve as reflections on how physical structures and their functionality shape our everyday existence.
In contrast, artists such as Mandy El-Sayegh, Mehdi Moutashar and Asad Faulwell delve into the examination of the formation and breakdown of systems, whether related to order, language, or politics. Their artistic inquiries extend into the complexities of these systems, offering a nuanced approach on how they shape and evolve within the context of their work. The core emphasis within the selected pieces revolves around the intricacies of process and materials. The artists showcase unconventional materials and methods, leveraging the transformative power of both natural and man-made elements to convey their interpretations of the natural world and social constructs.
