Diana Al-Hadid's 'Trace of a Fictional Third' at Marianne Boesky Gallery

The sculpture 'Trace of a Fictional Third' (2011) by Diana Al-Hadid was showcased in the summer exhibition 'Lost Paradise' at the Marianne Boesky Gallery in New York. This three-artist show also featured works by Julião Sarmento and Mathias Kessler. This exhibition marked Al-Hadid's inaugural presentation with the gallery following her recent onboarding. Originally from Syria and raised in Ohio, the artist previously held solo exhibitions in New York at Perry Rubenstein Gallery after debuting in 2006 at the Bronx Museum. Her latest mixed-media creation, measuring 120 x 240 x 156 inches, utilizes materials such as steel, polymer gypsum, wood, fiberglass, and paint. The work, ambitious in scale, layers texture and emotional depth through cascading forms that evoke fluidity. Continuing her investigation of time and suspended motion—concepts seen in earlier pieces featuring collapsing towers and fragile machines—this sculpture signifies a nascent exploration into figuration. The draped shapes exhibit a convincing corporeality while also suggesting ghostly elements, potentially representing "ghosts within the machine." The exhibition ran until August 5 at 509 West 24th Street, situated between 10th and 11th avenues in New York City.