Syrian artist Besher Koushaji’s first solo exhibition in Dubai, Reflections, expresses his feelings about being away from his homeland.
Koushaji was born in Damascus in 1984, and has always enjoyed painting buildings, familiar houses and streets. But after he was forced to move to Jordan in 2012, his work began to change.
Many of the buildings he once painted are now destroyed. The artist’s attempt to recreate them from his memories, makes the paintings appear ambiguous and unsettling, especially because he uses a certain technique that makes the faces and bodies appear fragmented into abstract shapes and colours, reminiscent of something seen through a refracting lens.
“Since I left my homeland I have been trying hard to rebuild the beautiful image of my country which I miss very much. My home, my friends and my memories are all there. These beautiful memories now have become mixed up with the presence of today, to produce rather confused and chipped images of reality which cast their reflections in my work,” he says.
Jyoti Kalsi is an arts-enthusiast based in Dubai.
Reflections will run at The Workshop, on Street 23B, off Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 2, until April 7
