Jawad al Malhi's 'Measures of Uncertainty' at Al-Ma'mal Foundation captures youth in flux
From June 6 to July 4, 2014, the Al-Ma'mal Foundation for Contemporary Arts in Jerusalem will host 'Measures of Uncertainty,' an exhibition by Palestinian artist Jawad al Malhi. This showcase includes large-scale paintings depicting adolescent boys in public settings, utilizing a limited color palette to convey feelings of disorientation. Originating from the Shufhat Refugee Camp, al Malhi finds inspiration in street life, paralleling it with television portrayals of events in the Middle East. The boys, dressed in a nondescript manner, embody a sense of anticipation and void. This collection stands in contrast to his previous work, 'House No. 197,' and the installation within a refurbished tile factory merges hues with stone walls, initially presenting tranquility that ultimately unveils a sense of unease, highlighting the tension between the subjects and the audience.
Key facts
- Jawad al Malhi's exhibition 'Measures of Uncertainty' runs from June 6 to July 4, 2014
- The show is held at Al-Ma'mal Foundation for Contemporary Arts in Jerusalem's Old City
- Al Malhi lives in the Shufhat Refugee Camp in East Jerusalem, where he was born
- The paintings depict adolescent boys in public spaces with minimal color and no architectural context
- Characters are based on real people al Malhi knows, such as local garage workers
- The work contrasts with his earlier photographic series 'House No. 197'
- 'House No. 197' was exhibited at the Helsinki Photography Biennial and the 2009 Venice Biennale
- Al Malhi describes the youths as existing in 'Coca-Cola time,' a mood of expectation and emptiness
Entities
Artists
- Jawad al Malhi
Institutions
- Al-Ma'mal Foundation for Contemporary Arts
- Helsinki Photography Biennial
- Venice Biennale
Locations
- Jerusalem
- Israel
- Shufhat Refugee Camp
- East Jerusalem
- Old City
- Cairo
- Egypt
- Istanbul
- Turkey
- Middle East