By design it looked partly like a floral array and partly like the aftermath of a bloodbath. It was the large-scale installation by Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi, and its blood red dahlias and crimson splatter spilled over the floor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's rooftop garden in the warmer months of 2013, and I've yet to stop thinking about it in all of its gory glory.
In response to bombings near his home in Pakistan, Qureshi began to incorporate red acrylic paint into his work, in an effort to convey "life and its destruction" in one image. The Met installation was inspired both by the effects of the violence as well as the blossoming of hope in spite of it, and its startling beauty left an impression that remains with me to this day, and which was put into even greater relief while I was at the Met last night. Four years later, surrounded by stunning new exhibits, and my mind kept reverting to Qureshi.
Click here and scroll down to a brief clip that shows the installation in progress, with close up views and Qureshi’s discussion of its relation to the location of the ‘urban rooftop’ on which it was installed.
The smudges of red on the bottom of the hull above have always reminded me of that work and its lasting visual impact for me. Here is "Sarah Jean”.
I’m excited to announce that I will be showing work from my Boat Hulls series with Roman Fine Art gallery at the upcoming Market Art + Design art fair, the only art fair to be held this year in the Hamptons, and once again to be held on the grounds of the Bridgehampton Museum. Roman Fine Art will also show additional work by exhibiting artists at its East Hampton gallery during and beyond the art fair for its “Art On The Edge” show, with an opening reception on July 1st. More details below.
Current and Upcoming Exhibits/Events:
Market Art + Design art fair. Roman Fine Art. 2368 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, NY. July 6 - 9.
Roman Fine Art. “Art On The Edge - The New Contemporary.” 66 Park Place, East Hampton, NY. July 1 - July 23.
East Hampton Town Marine Museum. “Boat Hulls” 301 Bluff Road, Amagansett, NY. June 17 - September 30.
Artist's Talk: Saturday, July 15, 3pm - 5pm