Architectural Digest Middle East: Egyptian sculptor Armen Agop presents first UAE solo exhibit in Dubai by Jumana Abdel-Razzaq

Egyptian sculptor Armen Agop presents first UAE solo exhibit in Dubai
Meem Gallery will present this exclusive showing of sculptures and painting at its space in November
BY JUMANA ABDEL-RAZZAQ

Dubai-based Meem Gallery will next month host the first UAE solo exhibition of celebrated Egyptian sculptor, Armen Agop. Based in Italy since 2000, Agop has become international recognised for his black granite sculptures, having exhibited across Europe, the Arab World and Asia. In this upcoming exhibition, titled Mantra, audiences will be able to view his drawings and paintings for the first time alongside his sculptural works. The title of the exhibit reflects the nature of the work within this series, as physical documentation of a meditative, spiritual practice. Each art work is undertaken with a focus – or mantra – set by the artist, seeking to create through a repeated action. As the sculpting of granite is a gruelling and lengthy task, applied over and over, the artist seeks to discover its limitless potential.

In contrast, the drawings and paintings, also on display as part of the expiation, deliver a divergence in concept. In these works, it is the meditative process itself that unveils the composition through the artist’s mark making with the paintings manifesting as a “result of the duration of time and rituality”. The exhibition will open on 17 November at the gallery, and will extend to Abu Dhabi Art with an intimate, solo presentation at the art fair, opening 21 November. Mantra and a smaller fair presentation will both include works on paper, paintings and sculptures.

The vernissage, in the presence of the artist, will be held on 17 November from 6-9 pm at Meem Gallery.

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