Zayn Qahtani's 'The Whisperings' at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery
Zayn Qahtani's debut solo exhibition 'The Whisperings' at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery in London explores thresholds and in-between spaces through a multimedia practice. The show features a central work 'To Her We Return' (2026), an archway of live moss carved with Sumerian symbols, incorporating an animated portal created with CC Studio that refracts light like abalone shell. Qahtani draws on Sumerian, Near Eastern, Chinese, and pre-Islamic Dilmunite traditions. The abalone shell recurs as a symbol of the boundary between conscious and subconscious. Works include sculptural assemblages like 'Enkidu' (2026) referencing the Epic of Gilgamesh, and paper-based series from 2021 and 2025-2026 depicting anthropomorphic plants and anime-like guardian spirits. The exhibition runs until 16 May.
Key facts
- Zayn Qahtani's debut solo exhibition 'The Whisperings' at Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery in London
- Central work 'To Her We Return' (2026) is an archway of live moss with Sumerian symbols and an animated portal
- Portal created with motion studio CC Studio refracts light like abalone shell
- Exhibition explores thresholds and in-between spaces, conceived during a period of global anxiety
- Draws on Sumerian, Near Eastern, Chinese, and pre-Islamic Dilmunite traditions
- Abalone shell is a recurring symbol of the boundary between conscious and subconscious
- Sculptural assemblages include 'Enkidu' (2026) referencing the Epic of Gilgamesh
- Paper-based works from 2021 and 2025-2026 feature anthropomorphic plants and anime-like guardian spirits
- Exhibition runs until 16 May
Entities
Artists
- Zayn Qahtani
Institutions
- Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery
- CC Studio
- Canvas
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Bahrain
- China