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拍品專文
Hazem Harb is a contemporary Palestinian visual artist who artfully reimagines the concept of 'home' as a collection of shared stories passed down through generations. These narratives are not just stories; they are deeply etched into the collective consciousness, meticulously documented through visual and written records, and form the very foundation of 'home' for the Palestinian community. Harb's mixed media body of work serves as a powerful expression of this sentiment, vividly illustrating how a profound sense of belonging endures, even in the face of displacement.
Harb revitalises archival photography from pre-1948 Palestine through his series, Archeology of Occupation. The present work, Untitled #24, which is from this series, showcases Harb's fascination with collage as a medium for exploring visual contradictions, particularly related to the complexities of land and identity within a Palestinian context. Harb's creative process begins with the meticulous curation of archival images, capturing the picturesque essence of his homeland: its unspoiled towns, landmarks, and landscapes before occupation. These photographs encapsulate the cherished memories of his childhood, revealing buildings whose walls echo his ancestors' voices and streets that once pulsed with vitality. He then overlays these sites with collages of concrete slabs, disruptive lines, and geometric shapes, adding layers of complexity to the surface. In the composition of Untitled #24, the backdrop of the collage captures a striking view of the Mediterranean city of Haifa. The black-and-white photograph portrays an expansive stretch of land, with the city's silhouette on the horizon and three solitary palm trees punctuating the tranquil scenery. Harb overlays the photograph with black and marble triangles resembling modern, sterile architectural structures. This juxtaposition creates a compelling interplay between the past and present, the authentic and the artificial. Harb's compositions invite reflection and contemplation, challenging the notion that history exists in isolation. Through dual perspectives in his collages, he crafts a vivid picture of his homeland's past and the untapped possibilities it may still embrace.
Born in Gaza in 1980, Hazem Harb moved to Rome to pursue his MFA at The European Institute of Design in 2002 and a course in Visual Art at the Academy of Fine Arts in 2006, he settled in the UAE in 2013 where he currently resides. Hazem Harb has been included in solo and group exhibitions internationally, including Centre Pompidou, Paris; Seoul Museum of Art; Maraya Art Centre, Abu Dhabi and The Mosaic Rooms, London.
Harb revitalises archival photography from pre-1948 Palestine through his series, Archeology of Occupation. The present work, Untitled #24, which is from this series, showcases Harb's fascination with collage as a medium for exploring visual contradictions, particularly related to the complexities of land and identity within a Palestinian context. Harb's creative process begins with the meticulous curation of archival images, capturing the picturesque essence of his homeland: its unspoiled towns, landmarks, and landscapes before occupation. These photographs encapsulate the cherished memories of his childhood, revealing buildings whose walls echo his ancestors' voices and streets that once pulsed with vitality. He then overlays these sites with collages of concrete slabs, disruptive lines, and geometric shapes, adding layers of complexity to the surface. In the composition of Untitled #24, the backdrop of the collage captures a striking view of the Mediterranean city of Haifa. The black-and-white photograph portrays an expansive stretch of land, with the city's silhouette on the horizon and three solitary palm trees punctuating the tranquil scenery. Harb overlays the photograph with black and marble triangles resembling modern, sterile architectural structures. This juxtaposition creates a compelling interplay between the past and present, the authentic and the artificial. Harb's compositions invite reflection and contemplation, challenging the notion that history exists in isolation. Through dual perspectives in his collages, he crafts a vivid picture of his homeland's past and the untapped possibilities it may still embrace.
Born in Gaza in 1980, Hazem Harb moved to Rome to pursue his MFA at The European Institute of Design in 2002 and a course in Visual Art at the Academy of Fine Arts in 2006, he settled in the UAE in 2013 where he currently resides. Hazem Harb has been included in solo and group exhibitions internationally, including Centre Pompidou, Paris; Seoul Museum of Art; Maraya Art Centre, Abu Dhabi and The Mosaic Rooms, London.