37th Interim Exhibition: Two Not Together

Aisha Abid Hussain

Tw o N o t To g e t h e r

H anmi Ga l l er y | Sep tem b er Is s u e | 3 7 th In te r i m E xh i b i t i o n

37 th In teri m Ex hi b i ti on Two N ot Toget h er A isha Ab i d Hussa i n

FOREWORD One may view Aisha Abid Hussain’s recent work as a cabinet with many drawers, to be slid open, one by one, exposing the carefully assembled private chronicles.The coming together of two individuals in holy or unholy bonds of marriage is a rapidly altering episode in human relationships.

The recent body of works by Aisha Abid Hussain comprising of digital photographs, relief prints and paper collages continues with her interest in gender discourse.

Multiple layers of cultural specific symbolism are a repertoire to be explored. The keen interest in human relationships with one another and with surroundings is been immensely inspiring for her. The idea of celebrating love and companionship by signing an agreement/contract stamps marriage to be an archaic concept. Like various cultures, within South Asian context, the idea of celebrating marriage is something of great importance. The staged performance of Bride and Groom is loaded with stereotypical attributes. The power politics between the two apparent on the very day of marriage is something fascinating to observe. In this series of staged photographs, prints and collages, nostalgia is created with an intended pun inspired by the archive of old family photographs.

LOVE IS A WASTED VIGIL This series of collages delves into the conventional ideas of the wedding ceremony and marriage with stark forboarding. Tradition and values are questioned as time and destruction of communities bend the naivety of love and commitment.

from left (clockwise) Love Is A Wasted Vigil Series III,IV, VII, 2014. Inkjet print collage on Wasli paper, 10 x 14 inches.

from above (clockwise) Love Is A Wasted Vigil Series V, II, I, 2014. Inkjet print collage on Wasli paper, 10 x 14 inches.

TWO NOT TOGETHER SERIES (RELIEFS) The relief prints represent a relic of domestic bliss. Bleak traces of happiness and traditions are all that is left of a union and ceremony once believed to last forever. These lace-like vestiges from another time are almost poetic in their deterioration, stubbornly clinging to life in a last ditch show of unity in partnership.

Two Not Together Series, 2014. Relief print on Somerset, 12 x 9.5 inches.

TWO NOT TOGETHER SERIES (PHOTOGRAPHS) ClichĂŠs and our romance with the institution of marriage are explored in this series of portraits. The roles of masculinity and feminity are examined and exaggerated to mock socieites expectations of a man and wife. The pagentry of marriage begins to decay and the charade does not escape scrutiny.

(From left) Two Not Together Series I,III, 2014. Archival print on Hahnemuhle photorag, 16 x 24 inches.

Two Not Together Series IV, 2014. Archival print on Hahnemuhle photorag, 16 x 24 inches.

AISHA ABID HUSSAIN Aisha Abid Hussain received her BFA degree from the National College of Arts, Lahore, Pakistan in 2008‭(Passed with Honours) and received her MFA from Goldsmiths College, University of London, England in 2012‭(Passed with Merit‭& Distinction in studio practice). Hussain works within a diverse practice, utilising a variety of mediums from miniature painting to photography and film. Her work has been exhibited widely in group and solo shows internationally.

Her Group shows include: Open, Pump House Gallery, London, England 2013; Bloomberg New Contemporaries, Spike Island, Bristol; Institute of Contemporary Art London, England 2013;‭Her Stories, Taubman Museum, Virginia; Queens Museum, Brooklyn, New York‭, USA 2012-2013; Drive In, PAMI‭(Peckham Artist Moving Image) Festival, London, England 2012; Through other Eyes, Contemporary Art from South Asia, Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry, England 2009; Parallel Lines, Bradford Museums Galleries & Heritage, England 2008; The Human Dichotomy, Aicon‭ Gallery, Palo Alto, USA 2008; Connect, Anant Art Gallery, New Delhi, India 2008.

Her Solo Shows are: Spaces Within, Gandhara‭Art Space, Karachi, Pakistan 2010;Miniature Contemporaines du Pakistan, Alexis Renard Gallery, Paris, France 2009;Preview,‭ Rohtas Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan 2009.‬ She is currently working as an assistant professor for a masters programme at the National College of Arts in Lahore and for the Art, Design and Education programme at Beconhouse National University, Lahore, Pakistan. ‬

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