SHARJAH ISLAMIC ARTS FESTIVAL 2017/18 (DEC 13, 2017 - JAN 23, 2018) Truth Ore by John Foster

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council and ruler of Sharjah, the Cultural Affairs Department at the Sharjah Department of Culture has organised the 20th Edition of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival.

'Truth Ore', the installation created by John Foster is on view at the Sharjah Art Museum as part of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival 2017/18.

'Truth Ore' comprises of a cluster of icosahedral dischroic spheres embedded in a gypsum plaster matrix, with gold leaf pigment. The installation is a multidimensional documentation of harmony between geometric perfection and chance, and between space and time. The installation combines light, colours, shapes and reflections. By walking around the installation a viewer becomes immersed into to the spectral flux, as each view brings a different experience. The artist is trying through geometry and science of light to capture a glimpse of infinite, to leave a lasting impact on the viewer.

John Foster uses contemporary materials in accordance with mathematical truth and as a result he achieves a feeling of objective beauty thus celebrating the spiritual connection between west and east aesthetic. To celebrate Islamic arts is to display a mirror of various cultures who have been influenced by Islamic aesthetic. Foster believes that it is possible to employ old traditions and make simple gestures, which result in contemporary visual images, objects and narratives with specific function.

John Foster discusses his installation with Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi at the opening of the exhibition / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

John Foster, Truth Ore, Installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

John Foster, Truth Ore, Installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

John Foster, Truth Ore, Installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

John Foster, Truth Ore, Installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

John Foster, Truth Ore, Installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

John Foster, Truth Ore, Installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

John Foster, Truth Ore, Installation view / Photo © Islamic Arts Magazine

John Foster holds a BFA - Interdisciplinary Studio, Minneapolis College of Art and Design. He is commissioned to create private artworks, so his artworks are part of many private collections around the world. He exhibited at Bright Side, Gamut Gallery, Minnesota; Art Crawl, Tilsner Building, Minnesota; Lure, Guy Hepner Gallery, New York, NY; and Marine Invertebrates, Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York, NY.

Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival 2017/18 opened on December 13, 2017 and will run until January 23, 2018. Many exhibitions and large scale installations are on view at the Sharjah Art Museum, and on other venues such as Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Majaz Amphitheatre, Awqaf Department, Al Qasba, Maraya Art Centre, and Calligraphy Square.