In her exhibit “Errors, British-born Egyptian Jasmine Soliman uses abstract expressionist art to explore cultural differences and ways we can accept them.
Currently on display at Mahmoud Mokhtar Cultural Center’s Nahdet Misr Gallery, the exhibition reflects the artist’s adept but rather limited use of color and space. The strength of the work lies in the fluid fashion with which Soliman conveys her message.
Walking into the gallery, viewers are met with a set of canvases splashed with colors. Some are completely black with drizzles of white while others are blue dappled with grey squares.
The paintings come in pairs that look almost identical with the exception of a small difference. Soliman’s point is clear: although the paintings have a small difference, they complete each other.
Instead of using clear figures, Soliman opts for random brushstrokes to demonstrate her idea. The paintings are slightly repetitive in form as the brushstrokes take the same shape.
Her style is complex yet cautious. She floods her canvas with darker, well-defined colors rather than splashes of bright ones. When feeling a little daring, she uses yellow and some strips of bright red, only to prove her point. Black and white colors give a clearer meaning to the work. In some cases, she uses light blues and greys to lighten the tone, a relief from the more solid ones.
Black, white, blue, yellow and sometimes even an accidental green illustrate how opposing elements can be different yet compatible. However, had Soliman been more willing to experiment with a wider range of colors; the resulting work would’ve been much more interesting and engaging.
Nevertheless, the lesson that society is still struggling to grasp is spelled out clearly: acceptance. Society needs to overcome its inability to accept and appreciate the beauty of difference – be it cultures, traditions or ideas.
“Errors is an exhibition to dwell in, observe, and contemplate; a challenging atheistic endeavor as much as a meditation on the beauty of difference.
“Errors is open daily at the Nahdet Misr Gallery until May 16.
