Systems of Demarcation

Von der Heydt-Kunsthalle, Wuppertal-Barmen

February 25 - May 6, 2018

 

Paintings of Driss Ouadahi with contributions from Saâdane Afif, Kader Attia, Mona Hatoum, Susan Hefuna, Mounir Fatmi and Tamara K.E.

The Von der Heydt-Kunsthalle presents an exhibition featuring works by Driss Ouadahi (b. 1959), an artist of North African heritage who has been living in Germany for many years. After originally beginning his studies in architecture in Algiers, Driss Ouadahi transferred to the art academy in Algiers and later to the Kunstakademie in Düsseldorf (1988 to 1994), where he completed his studies as a master student of Michael Buthe. Influenced by the light of his homeland   a characteristic which can clearly be seen in his early color field paintings  new global architecture became a central theme in his painting. He sometimes discovers appealing situations within high-rise buildings, many of which are present in both European and North African cityscapes as perpetually-unfinished shell constructions. And yet at the same time, he highlights the precarious situation of those trying to find a home in the modern environment of the new construction. He brings the situation in the banlieus into focus, both in France and elsewhere.

A sampling of works by fellow international artists have been integrated into the show  selected pieces by colleagues like Susan Hefuna, Mona Hatoum, Kader Attia, Mounir Fatmi, Tamara K.E. and Saâdane Afif with whom Driss Ouadahi interacts, either directly or indirectly. These artists also explore the interconnected themes of migration, colonialism, barriers, exclusion, and identity through various media and different approaches.

 

Wuppertal-Barmen, February 2018