Zeinab Saleh's Solo Exhibition 'The space {between}' at David Zwirner London

Kenyan-born, Dubai-based artist Zeinab Saleh presented a solo exhibition titled 'The space {between}' at David Zwirner London's Upper Room, running until 11 January 2025. The show featured new paintings and works on paper characterized by a gauzy, mist-like quality that softens domestic scenes while creating tension between reality and fantasy. Saleh's technique involves dripping watery acrylic paint layers and pressing plants, leaves, and fabric to create unpredictable prints, with paper works using charcoal and colored pencil. Her recent relocation from London to the UAE appears to influence her color palette, shifting from cooler tones at her 2024 Tate Britain Art Now presentation to warmer, bluish-green hues. Recurring motifs include cats, prayer mats, and henna patterns, with newer works embracing greater abstraction as seen in 'Three oceans away' (2024). The exhibition includes 'Velvet-/glare' (2024) and 'Undergrowth' (2024), while 'Waiting' (2024) introduces elements of danger with a crocodile's gaze. Saleh previously held a solo exhibition at Camden Art Centre, and her growing prominence coincides with Dubai's expanding art scene.