Safwan Dahoul
dal 8/5/2013 al 1/6/2013
Segnalato da
8/5/2013
Safwan Dahoul
Edge of Arabia, London
Repetitive Dreams. Examining a diverse range of subjects, Dahoul's canvases feature images that recur and evolve while remaining essentially unchanged.
Edge of Arabia is delighted to invite the public to a special event and accompanying exhibition of large-
scale works by Safwan Dahoul, one of the most prominent Arab painters working today. The event will
take place on the evening of 8th May and includes a discussion between the artist and his long time friend
and collaborator, Khaled Samawi (founder of Ayyam Gallery), a book signing of his 2009 monograph and
a special preview of monumentally-sized paintings and prints from his first UK solo exhibition: Repetitive
Dreams (opening on 9th May at Ayyam Gallery London on Bond Street).
The exhibition title, Repetitive Dreams, refers not only to the subject of Dahoul’s works, but to the
enduring influence that dreams have had in his career since starting to paint 25 years ago. Essential to the
artist’s work is the universality of dreaming, and the dream’s potential for multiple interpretations. For
Dahoul, every event is a repetition of another past moment. Examining a diverse range of subjects, his
canvases feature images that recur and evolve while remaining essentially unchanged. This body of work
is the first series of paintings the artist has created since leaving Damascus for Dubai last year.
Working in a predominantly monochromatic palette, the artist uses black and grey to suggest deep
hollows of space. Echoing the absence of vibrant colours, these muted tones also offer a reflection of
Dahoul’s personal life when living in his native Syria.
These paintings often contain a cinematic quality, and the nature and history of dream sequences in
cinema are an influence on the artist. Dahoul has recently expanded his practice to experiment with the
medium of film, directly engaging with notions of evolution, time and repetition through introducing a
durational element.
The artist has also collaborated with Ayyam Gallery and EOA.Projects to produce eight new limited
edition prints, which will be on sale throughout the exhibition.
For press information and images please contact: Amy Sutcliffe and Victoria Wedderburn at Pelham
Communications, Tel: +44 (0) 208 969 3959 // amys@pelhamcommunications.com or
victoria@pelhamcommunications.com
Artist Talk, Book Signing & Press Preview
Wednesday, 8th May | 6:30pm
Edge of Arabia
40 Elcho Street, London, SW11 4AU
Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 6pm; closed Mondays
Admission Free