Ishmael Randall-Weeks Bridges Peruvian and Arab Cultures at Lawrie Shabibi

Lawrie Shabibi presents 'Desert Displacements', the second solo exhibition by Peruvian artist Ishmael Randall-Weeks, running from 11 January to 9 February 2024. The show transforms geometric models into objects that explore architecture, design, and social-spiritual contexts from Peruvian and Arab cultures. Works incorporate walking sticks, stones, rulers, olive branches, and falcon figures, referencing Bauhaus and pre-Columbian art. The artist draws inspiration from the Peruvian desert, specifically the Samaca valley, where parabolic shapes and olive trees (introduced by Phoenicians, developed in Al Andalus, arriving with Spanish) connect to Arabian dunes. The Peregrine falcon appears as a motif linking Incan mythology (Sacsayhuaman) and Bedouin heritage. The press release emphasizes cultural exchange and the impact of physical structures on human experience.