Created By
Ghanem Hassan
Acrylic on Canvas
Curator
Luke Chapman
Ghanem's meditation on emotional artifice manifests through a masterful exploration of pattern and division, where the textural precision of reptilian scales becomes a metaphor for psychological armor. The technical execution, particularly in the meticulous rendering of the scale-like grid, creates a hypnotic rhythm interrupted by a singular, stark white divide – a technical achievement that speaks to both separation and containment. The work transcends its initial natural reference to become a sophisticated commentary on human disconnection. Ghanem's treatment of the divided space, with its consistent yet subtly irregular patterning on either side of the white breach, effectively materializes the artist's intention of exploring emotional distance within proximity. The verdant tonality of the piece adds a layer of irony – suggesting life and growth while actually depicting emotional calcification. Particularly compelling is how the rigid geometric structure creates a paradoxical sense of movement, suggesting the dynamic tension between authentic feeling and performed emotion that lies at the heart of the 'crocodile tears' metaphor.
"Veiled Emotions" encapsulates the concept of ‘Crocodile Tears’ - a metaphor for insincere emotions. The two distinct sections on either side could represent two individuals who, despite their physical proximity, are emotionally distant. The intricate pattern, reminiscent of a crocodile’s skin, symbolizes the tough exterior they maintain to hide their true feelings. Each block within the pattern could represent a memory, a remnant of their shared past. These memories, like the scales of a crocodile, are what’s left of their once intimate connection. Despite the emotional disconnect, these memories keep them bound together, creating a poignant commentary on the complexity of human relationships.
Created By
Ghanem Hassan
100 x 100 cm | 39 x 39 in
2024
