Beyond The Fence, Begins The Sky

Isshaq Ismail: Beyond The Fence, Begins The Sky
28 February – 28 May 2023
Efie Gallery
Unit 2 Al Khayat Art Avenue
19th Street
Al Quoz 1 Dubai
United Arab Emirates

Dubai-based Efie Gallery presents Beyond The Fence, Begins The Sky, an exhibition of new works by Ghanaian painter Isshaq Ismail created during his residency with the Gallery. Ismail is known for his use of varied, vibrant colours. Beyond The Fence, Begins The Sky features his first monochromatic works, painted in various shades of blue.

Ishaaq Ismail, Very Peculiar Zone
Ishaaq Ismail, Very Peculiar Zone, Acrylic on canvas, 42×36 inches, 2022-2023
(Image courtesy of Efie Gallery)

The artist’s intention with the new creations is to explore the idea of repetition and question notions of beauty, depicting figures with complex, ambivalent moods placed against a series of serene, utopian backdrops while considering the adversities they face.

Isshaq Ismail: Beyond The Fence, Begins The Sky
Isshaq Ismail, Land of Hope and Favour, Acrylic on canvas, 42×36 inches, 2022-2023 (image courtesy of Efie Gallery)

Born in Accra in 1989, Ismail is interested in representing and advocating for the masses, inspired by the moods and sentiments of people he observes on the streets of Ghana, but depicting figures that are universal and anonymous. His gritty, tenacious, non-conformist approach is evident in his thick, playful and emotive impasto-style application of paint.

https://www.instagram.com/artistisshaq/

©2023 Efie Gallery, Isshaq Ismail

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