Leila Heller Gallery
Leila Heller Gallery is delighted to announce the upcoming solo exhibition by Marwan
Sahmarani, titled 'Dirty Mirror Selfie’ opening on 14th November 2024.
"Dirty Mirror Selfie" confronts the complex interplay between self-perception and the often distorted realities that surround us. Through a provocative lens, the artworks delve into the darker aspects of human nature, reflecting the unsettling beauty found in ugliness and chaos. They challenge us to accept the uncomfortable truths of our existence, acknowledging the violence, sexuality, and horror that both fascinate and terrify us.
In a region marked by significant political turmoil, Marwan Sahmarani poignantly illustrates the paradox of advanced civilisation juxtaposed with a regressive, aggressive human instinct. Each piece serves as a mirror, urging us to look beyond our superficial selves and engage with the raw, often disturbing realities that shape our lives and societies.
Marwan Sahmarani challenges the viewers to engage in a profound confrontation with their own egos, revealing how what we perceive around us is intricately connected to our inner selves. Through the lens of "Dirty Mirror Selfie," the artworks lay bare the dirty realities we collectively carry, reflecting a shared consciousness that intertwines the conscious and the subconscious. The pieces are rich with flesh, depicting the tearing and wearing of human skin as a visceral metaphor for vulnerability and existence. Vivid colours pulse throughout the exhibition, embodying the ecstasy of life amidst the inevitability of death. This interplay of hues, particularly the myriad shades of skin, serves as a striking representation of our lived realities, evoking both the beauty and the fragility of human experience.
"Dirty Mirror Selfie" invites one to explore the complex relationship between life and death, suggesting that within the vibrant chaos of existence lies the ultimate truth. As viewers traverse this exhibition, they are invited to reflect not only on the world around them but also on the unsettling truths that reside within.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Marwan Sahmarani is a Lebanese artist based between Beirut and the small Mediterranean mountain village of Tarbena, Spain. With strong brushstrokes and vivid colours, Sahmarani’s practice reflects on the increasing political turmoil and tension felt throughout his native Lebanon. His textured paintings have abstract, expressionist tendencies but are rooted in the early traditions of landscape painting. Notably, he received the prestigious Abraaj Capital Art Prize in 2010, affirming his impact in the Middle Eastern art scene. His work has been showcased in renowned venues like the Thessaloniki Biennale and New York’s Museum of Arts and Design, where he exhibited pieces reflecting on conflict and cultural identity. Recently, his large-scale painting Summer Shooting (2015) was highlighted by Christie’s, where it received acclaim for its intense, emotive style and layered critique of social issues, exemplifying his blend of Western and Middle Eastern influences.