EXHIBITION AT XVA GALLERY (APR 4 - SEP 30, 2015) Gazmend Kalemi & Miriam Humer: ‘Seeds from the Desert Sand’

Although the work of Kalemi and Humer varies in style and subject, similar materials are utilized including paper, pencil and water, and reoccurring elements such as transparency, rocks and plants appear. The structures of nature play a hugely important role in the practice of each artist. Kalemi’s style leans towards a more literal documentation of the desert’s natural beauty whereas Humer records specific details found within nature in an abstract and unbound way. The style of Kalemi’s work may be perceived by some to be the more masculine of the two, when juxtaposed with the delicate femininity of Humer’s work. Together these two very different styles complement each other to create a harmonious whole. The artists draw inspiration from all the elements of their home surroundings in the Middle East; their children, the natural environment, the architecture, and the culture. In 'Seeds from the Desert Sand' they explore together and individually connective ideas of spring, growth and renewal.

Gazmend Kalemi, Duqum Island, 2011, Litho crayon on paper, 150x110 cm / Courtesy of XVA Gallery

Gazmend Kalemi hopes to prompt the viewer to consider the impact of his work when viewed individually and when viewed within a larger body of work. He envisages his pieces being heard as well as seen. His drawings document his encounters with natural phenomena, binding science and art, and merging rational thought with raw emotion.

Miriam Humer, Plum Version Arabia, Etching and Multimedia, 117x147 cm / Courtesy of XVA Gallery

Miriam Humer’s works on paper are drawn, printed, sewn, cut and dipped in wax. They extract and amplify specific details from within nature, such as the serrated edge of a leaf, or the blossom of a plum tree, and so bind them creating an abstract portrayal of the seemingly random yet cyclic nature of life on earth

Gazmend Kalemi & Miriam Humer, GazMir, 2015, Litho crayon and multimedia on paper, 78x106 cm / Courtesy of XVA Gallery

XVA Gallery

Established in 2003, XVA is one of the leading galleries in the Middle East that specializes in contemporary art from the Arab world, Iran and the Subcontinent. Exhibitions focus on works by the regions foremost artists as well as those emerging onto the scene. The gallery’s artists express their different cultural identities and perspectives while challenging the viewer to drop prejudices and borders. XVA Gallery exhibits both locally and internationally; collaborating with galleries and participating in international art fairs, such as Art Basel Hong Kong, SH Contemporary, Singapore Art Fair and Abu Dhabi Art in 2014, in order to further expose Middle Eastern contemporary art.

XVA Gallery and XVA Art Hotel are located in Dubai’s heritage district, now called Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood. XVA founded and organized the Bastakiya Art Fair from 2007- 2010 as part of its commitment to raising the profile of contemporary art practice in Dubai. For three years XVA was located in DIFC, and has now expanded its premises in Al Fahidi.