The XVA Gallery in Dubai has announced the opening of its summer group exhibition, No Mask Required, on May 17. The exhibition, which will feature the work of ten artists from Canada, Europe, and the Middle East, will look at how the human face is depicted, a pertinent topic considering the global need for face masks due to the pandemic.
With our faces at the center of conceptions of identity and self, from our daily reflections in the mirror to the desire for immortality through paintings — and, more recently, selfies — this new exhibition seeks to redefine what defines a picture in the current era.
The show features noted Iraqi artist Halim Al Karim, whose purposely blurred photographic portraits raise doubts about the identity of the almost-seen sitter, as well as Saudi artist Hussein Al-Mohasen, who aims to frame Arabic poetry and music through a modern lens. Yazid Oulab, an Algerian artist who now lives in France, explores the meaning of existence through video installations, drawings, and sculpture, attempting to bridge the tangible and ethereal realms.
Meanwhile, Syrian artist Sabhan Adam, who is completely self-taught, employs bright colors and plastic to create horrific pieces that attempt to reflect the “pain, terror, and anxiety” of the human condition.
Arezu, a Canadian artist, is inspired by historical paintings of women who have been stripped of their identities and reduced to objects.
Jonathan Gent, another participant, is a Scottish artist who draws inspiration from his ever-shifting surroundings. He has studios in 20 countries and has never stayed in one location for more than two years. His work has been exhibited in the Scottish National Gallery, The Saatchi Gallery, and The Freud Museum, among others.
