Hisham Sharif on the tumultuous break-up that inspired his first Dubai solo
We are intruding. The woman scowls at us in the mirror as she pulls back from the man sitting next to her on the bed. Have we heard or seen something we shouldn’t have? Our angled perspective from between the bed and the mirror certainly suggests this, as if we – as viewers – are crouching by the console table, trying to remain unnoticed. Our place in Hisham Sharif’s paintings, however, is often…
Hisham Sharif's solo exhibition, Allusive Veil, at Ayyam Gallery in Dubai, is inspired by his tumultuous break-up in 2023. The Bahraini artist, who was set to marry in 2023, created these works following the end of his relationship and his father's illness. Many of the paintings draw from Persian miniatures and stories, such as Ferdowsi's Shahnameh.
Behind the Mirror, one of the works in the exhibition, features a couple locked in an intense, claustrophobic embrace, reminiscent of Persian miniature painting and Orientalist art. The tight space between the couple can be seen as a schism, worlds apart. The tension in the painting is palpable, and the figures in the painting seem to be posing for the viewer, reinforcing narratives of the male gaze.
Sharif's use of colour in Allusive Veil is a departure from his usually monochromatic style. The feverish dabs of colour on the canvas are subjective and evoke drama, tension, and desire. The women in the paintings are often surrounded by textiles and flowers, creating an Orientalist atmosphere that is reminiscent of Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant's work. However, Sharif insists that his work is an authentic display of his own romantic experiences and vulnerability, rather than an unintentional fall into Orientalist tropes.
The exhibition charts a roller coaster of emotions, starting from heartbreak and trying to figure it out, going chase after chase, into acceptance, trying to find contentment and peace of mind. The largest works in the exhibition represent Sharif's recovery process, which involved quitting drinking and finding stability in religion.
These canvases are given self-reflective titles, such as Solitude. Overall, Allusive Veil showcases Sharif's exploration of intimacy, relationships, and vulnerability, as well as his unique perspective on Arab-Persian culture.
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