Pacita Abad's 'Door to Life' at Tina Kim Gallery Evokes Yemeni Architecture
Tina Kim Gallery in New York presents 'Pacita Abad: Door to Life,' the gallery's third solo exhibition of the late Filipino artist (1946-2004). The show focuses on works Abad created after a 1998 trip to Yemen, where she photographed and sketched ornate doors and windows. Using her signature trapunto technique—stitching painted and appliquéd canvas—Abad produced vertical compositions inspired by Yemeni decorative motifs, including tessellations and botanical patterns. A series of never-before-seen qamariya paintings references the semicircular glass windows common in Sanaa. The exhibition runs through June 20. Abad traveled to over 60 countries during her 32-year career, viewing travel as her art school. The gallery notes her preference for drawing on anonymous craft traditions outside Western institutional frameworks. A 1999 publication accompanying the initial 'Door to Life' exhibition is available online.
Key facts
- Pacita Abad (1946-2004) traveled to more than 60 countries.
- Abad visited Yemen in spring 1998, after the Yemeni Civil War.
- The exhibition 'Door to Life' is at Tina Kim Gallery in New York.
- The show highlights works inspired by Yemeni architecture and decoration.
- Abad created a visual archive of doorways through photographs and sketches.
- The works use Abad's signature trapunto style of stitched painted canvas.
- A series of never-before-seen qamariya paintings is included.
- The exhibition continues through June 20.
- A 1999 publication supplemented the initial 'Door to Life' exhibition.
- Abad said, 'Everyday a new idea, everyday a new door.'
Entities
Artists
- Pacita Abad
Institutions
- Tina Kim Gallery
- Pacita Abad Art Estate
- Colossal
Locations
- Yemen
- Sanaa
- New York
- Jakarta
- Philippines
- Batanes
- United States