My Highlights from ArtInternational 2014
The group that I’ve selected are almost like a wish-list of artists whom I’ve been following closely over the last decade. These artists have always intrigued me with their subject matter—be it political, social, or humorous—technique, originality, and innovativeness. They have also been widely exhibited in international venues and acquired by various important institutions which is always an important criteria when buying art. I’ve also picked established artists, like Callum Innes, whose works I wasn’t very familiar with but grabbed my attention as I was going through the list.
My Selection:
Kibong Rhee, Into the Hidden Side, 2014, at Kukje Gallery/ Tina Kim Gallery
Nevin Aladag, ŞEHİR SESİ ÜÇLEMESİ (ŞEHİR SESİ-I-II-III) / CITY LANGUAGE TRIOLOGY (CITY LANGUAGE-I-II-III), 2009, at Rampa
I simply love her work!
Wael Shawky, work not yet uploaded, at Lisson Gallery
Wael Shawky’s videos are absolute masterpieces in my opinion, especially his “Cabaret Crusaders” series. I saw his drawings from this series exhibited at Lisson Gallery in London last winter and saw his talent in working with various media. He is definitely one of the most impressive artists I’ve ever had the opportunity to meet.
Sarkis, Kinstugi 1, 2014, at Galeri Mana
Sarkis was one of the artists invited by critic and curator Harald Szeemann to be included in the legendary “When Attitudes Become Form” exhibition held in Bern, Switzerland in 1969, which was reenacted in Fondazione Prada during the 55th Venice Biennale in 2013. He will represent Turkey at the 56th Venice Biennale in 2015.
Yuksel Arslan, Arture 311, 1983, at Dirimart
In my opinion, Yuksel Arslan is one of the most important Turkish-born artists in contemporary art. Each work he creates is a culmination of years of reading, drawing, and taking notes later on pouring into his ‘Artures.’ Despite living in Paris for decades, his works have been less known abroad than in Turkey until relatively recently. A number of his works were exhibited at the Arsenale during the 55th Venice Biennale in 2013.
Shirana Shahbazi, [Komposition-46-2012], 2012, at Deweer Gallery
Shahbazi is an Iranian artist based in Switzerland. I’ve been following Shahbazi’s work for a couple of years and find her to be an inventive artist within the genre of photography. She has been exhibiting internationally across the globe with works in the collections of Tate in London and MoMA in New York, among many others.
Lawrence Abu Hamdan, A conversation with an Unemployed, 2014, at Galeri NON
A young artist exploring issues key in today’s world, like international borders and the politics behind it, his works are already in the collections of leading institutions like MoMA in New York.
Callum Innes, Exposed Painting Blue Lake, 2014, at Edouard Malingue Gallery
Patricia Piccinini, Metaflora (eight pods), 2014, at Hosfelt Gallery
