An exhibition at The Third Line, June 19 – July 30, 2013 ‘No. 10’ by Rana Begum

Rana Begum / No.429, 2013, Paint on mirror finish steel / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

The show includes wall-mounted folded metal works that vary in sizes. These are developed out of previous studies in paper and delicately emulate the weightlessness of the original material. Mild steel, mirror finish steel, copper and brass are some of the industrial materials Begum is fascinated with. Careful consideration is given to the folds and angles and colors are scrupulously applied to various facets to create crystalline compositions.

Placed at irregular intervals and unusual heights, the installation plays with spatial concerns and recreates a semblance of kinesis. The sharp composition of light, reflection and geometry all come together to create multiple perspectives.

Rana Begum / No.373, 2013, Paint on mirror finish copper, 68x51x23 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.373, 2013, Paint on mirror finish copper, 68x51x23 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.380, 2013, Paint on mild steel, 112x110x37 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.380, 2013, Paint on mild steel, 112x110x37 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.399, 2013, Paint on mild steel, 52x73x23 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.412, 2013, Paint on mild steel, 60x71x15 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.412, 2013, Paint on mild steel, 60x71x15 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.418, 2013, Paint on mirror finish steel, 65x40x21 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.418, 2013, Paint on mirror finish steel, 65x40x21 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.422, 2013, Paint on mirror finish brass, 62x58x24 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.422, 2013, Paint on mirror finish brass, 62x58x24 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.424, 2013, Paint on mild steel, 110x139x36 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.425, 2013, Paint on mild steel, 101x150x47 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.425, 2013, Paint on mild steel, 101x150x47 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.426, 2013, Paint on mild steel, 99x150x35 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.428, 2013, Paint on mirror finish steel, 52x70x25 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.428, 2013, Paint on mirror finish steel, 52x70x25 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

In addition to these works are two benches that take on a more grounded and sculptural interpretation of the theme. The large floor pieces also occupy viewers in much the same way as the airy wall series, inviting them to view the work from all sides, taking in their multiple faces and shifting geometrical planes.

Rana Begum / No.430, 2013, Paint, lacquer on birch ply wood, 220x45x50 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

Rana Begum / No.431, 2013, Paint, lacquer and walnut laminate on MDF, 220x45x50 cm / Courtesy of the Artist and The Third Line

This new and more playful body of work follows Begum's established practice of working with minimalist aesthetic and urban physiognomies – each work demanding a level of interaction to be able to experience its entirety. As is significant with her previous works, this exhibition explores how the slightest shifts in colour, shape, movement, and viewing angle can create complex and beautiful new alignments.

Rana Begum

Rana Begum received her Fine Art Degree in painting at the Chelsea College of Art and Design and her MFA in painting from the Slade School of Fine Art, both of London. She has held several solo exhibitions in London, Cologne, Mumbai and Dubai. Her works were also featured in international art fairs such as Frieze Art Fair, Fiac, ABC, Armoury, Nada, Dubai Art Fair. Begum’s works has been acquired by international institutions and foundations including Art Museum of Western Virginia, Ernst & Young Collection and Farjam Collection, Dubai and most recently MoNA (Museum of Old and New Art). Begum has recently completed Public Art Commission for Marcol House, London and currently working Surbiton Health Centre, London and Hualien Theatre, Taiwan. Begum has also been awarded The Jack Goldhill Award for Sculpture at The Royal Academy in London in 2012.

Begum currently lives and works in London, UK.

The Third Line

The Third Line is a Dubai based art gallery that represents contemporary Middle Eastern artists locally, regionally and internationally. The Third Line also hosts non-profit, alternative programs to increase interest and dialogue in the region. Represented artists include: Abbas Akhavan, Ala Ebtekar, Amir H. Fallah, Arwa Abouon, Babak Golkar, Ebtisam Abdulaziz, Farhad Moshiri, Fouad Elkoury, Golnaz Fathi, Hassan Hajjaj, Hayv Kahraman, Huda Lutfi, Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige, Laleh Khorramian, Lamya Gargash, Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian, Pouran Jinchi, Rana Begum, Sahand Hesamiyan, Sherin Guirguis, Shirin Aliabadi, Slavs and Tatars, Sophia Al-Maria, Tarek Al-Ghoussein and Youssef Nabil.