Coma In Paradise
Visual Arts
Description
Description
AJC is proud to present the gallery’s second solo exhibition of the internationally acclaimed Iraqi photographer, Halim Al Karim.
Coma in Paradise boldly addresses the artist’s acute concern for personal and political freedom in societies around the world, particularly in the Middle East. Using an ultra large format analogue camera self-built for the purpose, the artist explores themes of politics, gender, fear, love, violence and the power of selective memory.
Forced to flee Iraq in 1991 for political reasons, Al Karim’s artistic practice is largely influenced by years of hiding, persecution and violence that he suffered during the Gulf War. By manipulating his subjects to create striking blurred portraits, implying an uncertainty of context, time and place, Al Karim prompts the viewer to consider realities beyond the physical appearance of the body.
These techniques are used by the artist as means to overcome the effects of politics of deception and, in turn, transform the artist and the camera into a single entity; one seeking a greater truth.
Note：This event record is compiled from "Hong Kong Visual Arts Yearbook 2014" published by Department of Fine Arts, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
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Indoor