When In The Height
An Abstract Study of the Enuma Elish: The Seven Tablets of Creation
Jan 31-Feb 18
Opening Reception Fri Feb 3, 7-9pm
(cash bar, appetizers and live Arabic Folk band for entertainment)
Enuma
Art is at the roots of all forms of written expression. What started as cave paintings during the Upper Paleolithic period eventually developed into systems of pictograms that formed the basis of Sumerian cuneiform, the oldest known written language.
Rob’s latest series of abstract oil paintings explores one of the earliest creation myths in recorded human history, the Enûma Eliš (translated means, “When in the height.”) This Babylonian epic was written in cuneiform on seven clay tablets, and it recounts the tale of a great war in the heavens between the gods, the creation of the Heavens and Earth as well as human kind.
The intention of the work was to abstract from both the cuneiform system of writing and the epic tale itself to create a unique form of pictography that is contrary to what you would expect of hieroglyphs or cave paintings. It is a study of writing, human history and art.
The paintings have a minimalistic approach; however, within each shape, colour and texture you can find hidden meanings that are carefully connected to the story and the language it was written in. A rigorous amount of research, study and conceptual development was required to achieve this.
Each piece was crafted using oil and metal on canvas, and also includes the use of volcanic ash in the pigment of several paintings. The process was aggressive, chaotic and involved the use of knives and other tools to etch every surface in a very physically expressive way. The art ranges from 4ft to 10ft in size and was made using high grade materials to ensure its longevity.
To learn more about this creation myth and to see this unique series of contemporary art, you’ll have to see the show.
