2024-01-16 12:54:50
“The Magic of Nature” in the Alexandria Gallery at the Greco-Roman Museum
Nature holds many secrets and symbols that artists try to employ in their works in many ways, and in his exhibition, which is hosted by the Greco-Roman Museum in Alexandria until January 31, the Egyptian visual artist Mohamed Bartash summons the magic of nature through the symbolism of colors and their overlapping on the surface of trees.
Through 43 paintings included in the exhibition, the artist uses color in an intense way, in an attempt to create a bridge of communication between different ideas, given that colors carry symbols, and the characters within the paintings are inspired by the formations and colors of trees. The artist considers that his exhibition adopts the philosophy of art for society, and that in a way… Or another, it is related to society and education, according to what was mentioned in the exhibition’s introductory paper.
One of the paintings from the exhibition “Monotheism and the Surface of Trees” (Middle East)
Regarding his exhibition titled “Monotheism and the Surface of Trees,” artist Muhammad Bartash told Asharq Al-Awsat that the idea for the exhibition came to him during a visit he made to Thailand, adding: “While I was wandering in a forest, I found a tree with a distinctive carving on it, then I traveled to Europe and wandered around.” Within its forests, I found that the surface of the trees can be a rich material on the cultural and artistic level to address the idea of monotheism found in the three religions.”
He continues: “After that, I read the Encyclopedia of Religions, and for two years I spent thinking regarding how to transfer the theoretical idea of monotheism to an artistic state in paintings.”
The paintings come closer to the abstract school of art, and colors play a starring role in presenting a situation that expresses the philosophy of the exhibition, or what can be seen from the color formations on the surface of the trees, according to the philosophy of the exhibition.
Bartash states that his artistic career began more than 20 years ago, and that he studied under the great artist Sabri Ragheb, and learned from him classical drawing such as portraits and landscapes before turning to abstraction.
Artist Muhammad Bartash in front of a number of his paintings at the exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
He says: “I saw that color plays an important role in every monotheistic religion. Blue refers to Christianity, green refers to Islam, and white, grey, black and dark red are linked to Judaism. The idea of monotheism among the ancient Egyptians was also introduced in the exhibition, recalling Akhenaten’s call for monotheism, as “One of the oldest calls known to humanity in this regard.”
He adds: “In order to draw, all we need is contemplation. Works of art exist around us, created by the Creator. Everything around us inspires all artists, whether the sculptor, painter, or musician.”
Regarding his vision of art and its role in society, he says: “I do not believe in the principle of art for art’s sake, but rather that art is for society. Even opera began with popular stories presented to the public in the street, and visual artists used to draw nature and portraits in the street.
He pointed out that no artist presents an exhibition without a message, idea or topic behind it.
Color spaces that express the philosophy of Bartash Exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Bartash, who decided to direct the proceeds from his exhibition to the children of Gaza through the Red Crescent Foundation, said, “The idea of donating to the children of Gaza confirms that we, as artists, are not separate from the issues of our society, and we are not only satisfied with addressing them artistically, but we can also support humanitarian issues in various ways.”
He pointed out that he organized an exhibition in France in cooperation with UNICEF for the benefit of the children of Syria, which was going through a major crisis at the time.
The opening of the exhibition, on Monday evening, witnessed a symposium on the artist’s works attended by a number of artists, critics and museum directors in Alexandria. Dr. Hussein Abdel Basir, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandria Museum, said that the exhibition presents a humanitarian idea that expresses “monotheism throughout the ages and through the heavenly religions, as well as A clear connection with the idea of monotheism in ancient Egypt.
A painting from the exhibition “Monotheism and the Surface of Trees” (Middle East)
Abdel Basir pointed out to Asharq Al-Awsat that “the artist succeeded in linking philosophical ideas on the one hand, and the splendor and beauty of nature on the other hand.”
He continued: “The artist expressed in an abstract manner the color harmony in a way that gave the paintings distinctive aesthetic dimensions, creating what can be called the music of color.”
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