In a captivating exploration of materiality and meaning, Alexander Gray Associates in New York presents “Gathering,” a remarkable exhibition featuring the works of Hassan Sharif, a pioneering figure in Middle Eastern conceptual art. This showcase offers a profound glimpse into Sharif’s innovative Objects series, where the mundane transforms into the extraordinary.
Sharif’s monumental sculptures dominate the gallery space, each piece a testament to his unique artistic vision. These works, created during the artist’s final years, breathe new life into everyday materials, imbuing them with an unexpected poetic sensibility. Sharif’s hands-on assembly process, which he likened to weaving, serves as a contemporary interpretation of traditional handicraft, bridging the gap between past and present.
The Objects series, initiated in 1982, reflects the rapid economic growth and demographic transformation of the United Arab Emirates during Sharif’s lifetime. However, rather than explicitly critiquing or celebrating these changes, Sharif’s work offers a nuanced perspective. He adapts longstanding traditions to reflect the new material culture of the UAE, inviting viewers to rediscover the reality of everyday life through a fresh lens.
“Gathering” showcases the impressive range of materials present in the Objects series. In “Weave 4” (2013), Sharif braids black rubber and white electrical wire into a frenetic tapestry, creating a visual symphony of industrial elements. “555” (2016) presents a sprawling sculptural system composed of one thousand aluminum food service pans, bent and bound together with copper wire. Perhaps most striking is “Hats” (2016), where hundreds of circular-brimmed sun hats are tightly bound into a weighty spherical mass, suspended from the ceiling like a peculiar celestial body.
In each of these works, Sharif deliberately strips away the utility of the objects, transforming them into pure art. As he explained, “I take a product to my studio and the first thing I do is remove its use… I cancel its usefulness. Then I add another material to it, so it becomes a work of art; an object.” This process of deconstruction and reconstruction challenges our perceptions of value and functionality in the modern world.
Sharif’s approach extended beyond sculpture to traditional media like drawing and painting. His geometric compositions, devised according to chance, explore the boundaries of creative expression while subtly critiquing institutions and social systems. This egalitarian outlook informed his role as a mentor to younger generations of artists in the Gulf region, fostering a vibrant creative community through his hybrid studio/salon, The Flying House.
The exhibition “Gathering” not only celebrates Sharif’s artistic legacy but also highlights the enduring relevance of his work. In an era of rapid globalization and technological advancement, Sharif’s art serves as a poignant reminder of the beauty and complexity inherent in the everyday objects that surround us. It challenges us to look beyond the surface, to find meaning and connection in the most unexpected places.
As visitors wander through the exhibition, they are invited to engage with Sharif’s vision of a world where art transcends boundaries of nationality, partisanship, and ego. His works stand as a testament to the power of creativity to foster cultural dialogue and embrace human development in all its facets.
Hassan Sharif: “Gathering” opens on Saturday, January 11, with a reception from 5:00โ7:00 PM at Alexander Gray Associates, New York.
