Bassim Al Shaker at Rhona Hoffman

 

Bassim Al Shaker, Eruption, 48 x 48

This conflation of fractal geometry with a Rococo garden might well depict atmospheric storms on a planet other than earth. Behold the eruption of beautiful  but deadly shards and  swirls of toxic gases.  It also might illustrate the cover of a science fiction novel —— except there are no human figures.  This is that desolate, inhumane environment  that most of the universe has always been .  It also reflects the middle Eastern war zone in which the Iraqi artist grew up.  As the artist has noted, if you can contemplate  an explosion it means you have survived it, which is a cause for celebration. These pieces do echo the buoyant elation of Fragonard,  of whom Al Shaker is fond.

But still — it depicts a world in which human life has no future.  And so Bassim Al Shaker ( B. 1986, Baghdad ) is an ex-patriot, based currently in Chicago.

Nihilism is a common theme in contemporary art - as well as art based on experiences of war. Al Shaker has been quite meticulous in the rendering of every flying shard and whisp of  colored smoke.  The details approach infinite recession - so a magnifying glass would probably reveal even more.  These paintings  are not momentary expressions of dismay.  They are definitive depictions of humanity’s self inflicted destruction.

"Absolution and Absolution’ is one among a variety of titles suggesting the pieces are going in various directions — but they’re all basically just stuff blowing up.  As the artist tells it, he had to leave Iraq because a gang of religious fanatics discovered his sketches of the Venus de Milo.  Assuming they were good - perhaps he could include some human figures in his next series of visions.  I’d like to see at least a glimmer of hope that humanity has a future - and that being human is important.

Brian Maguire (b. Ireland, 1951)Aleppo, 2023 , 18 x 24

Concurrently, the gallery was also showing this scene of devastation as rendered by an artist who travels the world to view and paint them.  I certainly would not want to live there, but at least someone is trying to make a life amid all the devastation.