Art Hong Kong 2010
Booth # M14
27 May - 30 , 2010Press Release
Making its second appearance at the Hong Kong International Art Fair (Art HK) from May 27 - 30, Ayyam gallery will bring an impressive lineup of contemporary art from the Middle East to the heart of Asia.
Representing some of the region's foremost painters, sculptors and photographers, the Damascus-based art space has additional outposts in Dubai and Beirut and is the Arab world's chief commercial gallery. A forerunner of the burgeoning market, Ayyam has been single-handedly responsible for the dominance of Syrian art at recent auctions, as it is recognized for reaffirming the importance of several pioneers while launching the careers of nearly a dozen young artists through its Shabab Ayyam Program, an incubator for emerging talent that was established in 2007. With several in-house auctions under its belt and an expanding publications department, the gallery has gained a reputation for operating at the vanguard of the local art scene while keeping instep with international trends and events.
As the sole representative of the Arab world's artistic landscape, Ayyam Gallery will be showcasing three of the most talented and sought after Arab contemporary artists living today.
Safwan Dahoul and Khaled Takreti, artists who both studied in Europe and began exhibiting in Damascus in the 1990s, not only demonstrate the coming together of East and West in unique portraits free of predecessors, they exemplify a new wave of Arab painting that is relentlessly fearless in technique and style. Together, their canvases exemplify the range of this exciting movement, as Dahoul's mono-toned atmospheric compositions speak of love and loss and Takreti's colorful and campy canvases explore the innocent and lighthearted spirit of childhood and adolescence. Individually they stand as important leaders of the region's growing prominence—two artists who are currently taking the globe by storm.
Rounding out the two is modern day Renaissance man Nadim Karam, a Lebanese architect who is also a consummate painter and sculptor. A PhD graduate of Tokyo University in 1989, he returned to Beirut to become one of the Levant's foremost urban designers. He is also known for visual works that are at once playful and enigmatic, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Yet at all times he remains true to his overall vision, one that sees no need for supposed sociopolitical boundaries. Specially commissioned for Art HK, Karam has produced two gleaming monumental sculptures, displaying an inspiring magnetism that is sure to stop crowds.
As a collection, Ayyam's diverse body of work will give Art HK's audiences a preview of what the international community can't seem to stop talking about—the emergence of West Asia's exhilarating art world.
AYYAM GALLERY'S BOOTH #: M14
Opening Day: Wednesday 26 May
4pm-6pm, Preview (By Invitation Only)
6pm-9pm, Vernissage (By Invitation or Pre-booked Tickets Only)
General Opening:
Thursday 27th May 12noon-9pm
Friday 28th May 12noon-8pm
Saturday 29th May 12noon-7pm
Sunday 30th May 12noon-5pm
For more information: www.hongkongartfair.com
Selected Works
NK5 Nadim KARAM 'Memories, War and Hope' -3 canvases- 200 X 360 cm. Mixed Media on Canvas 2008
NKLTP Nadim KARAM 'Little Prince' H225 X W80 X D26 cm. Stainless Steel, Super Shiny Sculpture 2010
NKWCL Nadim KARAM 'Wild Cat' 150 X 210 X 25.5 cm. Stainless Steel, Super Shiny Finish Sculpture 2009
NKMU Nadim KARAM 'MIU' H182 X W94 X D22 cm. Stainless Steel, Super Shiny Sculpture 2010
KT52 Khaled TAKRETI 'Make a Wish' 180 X 180 cm. Acrylic on Canvas 2009
KT50 Khaled TAKRETI 'Auto-Stop' 180 X 180 cm. Acrylic on Canvas 2009
KT49 Khaled TAKRETI 'Hommage à Al-Beik' 180 X 180 cm. Acrylic on Canvas 2009
Dream6 Safwan DAHOUL 'Dream 6' 180 X 180 cm. Acrylic on Canvas 2008
Dream7 Safwan DAHOUL 'Dream 7' 180 X 180 cm. Acrylic on Canvas 2008
