Following his exhibition at Artes Mundi 10 in Wales, ‘Endless Tears in the Garden of Eden’ is anexhibition that explores Rushdi Anwar’s personal experiences, reflections, and memories as anindigenous member of Kurdistan-Iraq.
Three key subjects are central to this solo show. Firstly, the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916, acolonial document designed by Britain and France that senselessly divided this ‘Middle East’ intoa continuing oil-fuelled chaos. Secondly, the human agents that History debates and recalls as thechampions of Kurdish culture and its sovereignty, such as Hoshyar Byawelaiy, a Kurd committed tothe single-handed demining of Kurdish land today. Thirdly, the mimicry of colonial methodologiesof terror– from British poster propaganda to Saddam Hussein’s chemical attacks to ISIS brutality–alandscape, both human and non-human, suffering mass displacement and destruction thatcontinues to be ravaged by proxy wars and religious extremism today.
The sculptures, installations, sounds, and moving images in this exhibition investigate theseoccurrences, embracing such materials as hand-woven rugs, photographs and historical texts,hand-touched prints, filmic documentary, historical radio propaganda, and more.
The biblical ‘Garden of Eden’ continues to be mired in the deceit of humanity, for this paradise isclaimed to begin in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers basin of ancient Mesopotamia, in what today isunderstood as covering much of Kurdistan.
Three key subjects are central to this solo show. Firstly, the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916, acolonial document designed by Britain and France that senselessly divided this ‘Middle East’ intoa continuing oil-fuelled chaos. Secondly, the human agents that History debates and recalls as thechampions of Kurdish culture and its sovereignty, such as Hoshyar Byawelaiy, a Kurd committed tothe single-handed demining of Kurdish land today. Thirdly, the mimicry of colonial methodologiesof terror– from British poster propaganda to Saddam Hussein’s chemical attacks to ISIS brutality–alandscape, both human and non-human, suffering mass displacement and destruction thatcontinues to be ravaged by proxy wars and religious extremism today.
The sculptures, installations, sounds, and moving images in this exhibition investigate theseoccurrences, embracing such materials as hand-woven rugs, photographs and historical texts,hand-touched prints, filmic documentary, historical radio propaganda, and more.
The biblical ‘Garden of Eden’ continues to be mired in the deceit of humanity, for this paradise isclaimed to begin in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers basin of ancient Mesopotamia, in what today isunderstood as covering much of Kurdistan.
-
Rushdi AnwarWe have found in the ashes what we have lost in the fire, 2011Mixed medium embedded within 12 wooden boxInstallation dimensions variable
Each box 32.5 x 22.5 x 9 cm -
Rushdi AnwarA Few Lines of History, 2011Photographic prints treated with smoke (soot) mounted on wooden boardsEach panel: 15 x 10 cm
Installation dimensions variable
Courtesy of Ab-AnbarCopyright The Artist -
Rushdi AnwarFacing living, past in the present , 2015HD single-channel video, color, sound12 minutes 30 seconds
Edition 2/5 +2AP -
Rushdi AnwarThe invisible line - he prays in Iraq, his shoes in Iran, both are in Kurdistan., 2023Digital-UV print on stainless steel, synthetic paint on wood64 x 17 x 91 cmEdition 3/5 + 2APCourtesy of Ab-AnbarCopyright The Artist
-
Rushdi AnwarTurn your silver into bullets, 2023Digital-UV print on stainless steel, cast brass bullets, synthetic paint on wood64 x 17 x 91 cmEdition 2/5 + 2APCourtesy of Ab-AnbarCopyright The Artist
-
Rushdi AnwarListen again to the drum sound rising in the air; the truth is treason in the empire of lies, 2023Brass, walnut wood, teak wood, Bluetooth sound system, sound32 x 26 x 53cm
20mins, loopedStyle Number 1: Edition 3/3 + 2AP -
Rushdi AnwarWhen the world pushes you to your knees, you’re in the perfect position to pray, 2023Digital print photography on paperEach framed photo: 90 x 60 cm
Wallpaper photo: 245 x 375 cm
Edition 1/3 + 2APCourtesy of Ab-AnbarCopyright The Artist -
Rushdi AnwarWhen you pray for black gold, you must deal with the burning smoke too, 2023Embroidered map, traditional handmade woven prayer rug; digital print on paperInstallation dimensions variable
Rug: 140 x 95cm
Blue Portrait: 120 x 160 cm
Red Portrait: 120 x 160cmEdition 2/5 + 2APCourtesy of Ab-AnbarCopyright The Artist -
Rushdi AnwarA Man Stronger Than Mine (Video), 2023HD single-channel video, color, sound20 minutesEdition 1/5 + 2AP
-
Rushdi AnwarA Man Stronger Than Mine - Photographic print 1, 2023Photographic prints on paperEach print: 100 x 66cmEdition 1/5 + 2AP
-
Rushdi AnwarA Man Stronger Than Mine - Photographic prints 2, 2023Photographic prints on paperEach print: 100 x 66cmEdition 1/5 + 2AP
-
Rushdi AnwarA Man Stronger Than Mine - Photographic print 3, 2023Photographic prints on paper100 x 66cmEdition 1/5 + 2AP
