Internal Expanse by Patrick D. Wilson

The installation 'Internal Expanse' is on view at the Sharjah Art Museum as part of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival 2017/18.

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.

The installation 'Internal Expanse' is on view at the Sharjah Art Museum as part of the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival 2017/18. Patrick D. Wilson in his installation 'Internal Expanse', explores the theme of shelter. The inspiration came from his travels while gathering photographs of various shelters, houses, tents, etc. for his next sculptures.

'Internal Expanse' combines two shapes, geometric wooden shape, drawn from Islamic geometry pattern and a black triangle shape that symbolizes a roof of a shelter or tent. Through the repetition the installation gives an impression of internal expansion as the title suggests. The installation stands on six black "legs", that ground the airiness of the installation. The colour contrast between the wooden and the black surfaces makes an impact, and visually divides the two distinct shapes.

Patrick D. Wilson received a BA from Gustavus Adolphus College and an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. He is Assistant Professor of Sculpture and Integrated Media at Western Michigan University, Frostic School of Art. His current research areas include digital fabrication, photography as a sculptural medium, tensile structures and vernacular architecture. His artworks draw from diverse media including steel, wood, laminated photographs, textiles and digital projections. Wilson has exhibited widely in various international locations, indoor and in public places.

Patrick D. Wilson explains the installation to Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem Al Qasimi at the opening of the Festival / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Patrick D. Wilson, Internal Expanse, Installation view / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

Patrick D. Wilson, Internal Expanse, detail / Photo Â© Islamic Arts Magazine

The 20th edition of Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival (SIAF) 2017/18 opened on December 13, 2017 and will run through January 23, 2018. Many exhibitions and large scale installations are on view at the Sharjah Art Museum, and at other venues such as Al Majaz Waterfront, Al Majaz Amphitheatre, Awqaf Department, Al Qasba, Maraya Art Centre, and Calligraphy Square.