Malik Thomas Jalil Kydd's 'Garden of Murmurs' Explores Identity Through Silk and Figuration

Malik Thomas Jalil Kydd's exhibition 'Garden of Murmurs' presents a body of work spanning recent years, focusing on self-identity and personal desires. The artist uses raw silk as his primary canvas, stitching panels of the 90 cm wide material to create an unbounded surface. His works blend painting, drawing, and fiber art, often depicting male figures at an 'angel scale'—slightly larger than life-size. Kydd employs natural materials like sage for dyeing, adding an olfactory dimension to his process. He uses mixed media including oil, pastel, charcoal, and natural dyes; charcoal soaked in linseed oil creates rich textures. The work 'They Invaded at Night' (2025, oil and charcoal on silk, 220 x 200 cm) references sketches of sculptural works from museum visits, depicting two figures in an embrace that becomes mountain-like. Kydd's practice engages with themes of restriction, transgression, and fluidity of identity, weaving subtle references to his Iraqi heritage without over-contextualization. The exhibition is hosted by CARBON 12.