Array of Hope
- Ahmed Raaidh
- Jun 26, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 3, 2024
Array of Hope
Raaidh, Azmeel, Rikza, Furushan
40 x 60 cm
2024
Acrylic and Gouache on Canvas
The painting we have made is called Array of Hope. The work was completed in collaboration with Rikza, Azmeel and Furushan. The main subject is a fishbowl on a table with a skull in it. Flowers can be seen protruding the top of the skull. A butterfly is also flying in closer to the bowl, attracted by the blossoming flowers. The vibrant colors define the room that the subject is displayed in. Another room is visible to the left. Not much of the second room is observable to the viewer.
The main two colors that dominate space are blue and red. The colors imitate the intensity of cold and hot differences found in nature. This contrast in colors separates the rooms but also unifies the table, fishbowl, skull, flowers, and the butterfly. This creates a separate ecosystem. A second ecosystem formed by the color perception in the rooms is clearly visible. Portrayal of the life cycle is depicted in the artwork. Skull represents death. Flowers are the new beginning, and the butterfly is the present. The empty space in the room displays the void and unknown. The unknown is a fear people experience.
Elements of De Stijl art movement were embedded in the artwork. De Stijl is a Dutch art movement which was inspired by the neoplasticism art movement. Started in the Netherlands by Theo Van Doesburg and Piet Mondrian it quickly spread to different industries such as architecture and fashion. The movement started in 1917 and ended by 1931. According to (Wolf, 2011) “Neo-Plasticism refers to the painting style and ideas developed by Piet Mondrian in 1917, promoted by De Stijl. Denoting the "new plastic art," or simply "new art," the term embodies Mondrian's vision of an ideal, abstract art form he felt was suited to the modern era.” This implies that Neo-Plasticism started after the De Stijl movement.
The proportion between the table and the contents on it are the same. This creates confusion with the viewer when seen from proximity. It was done intentionally to invoke questions. Questions like, why is it positioned that way? Where is the light coming from? Why is there only a table in an empty room? Fluidity of the water is closely related to the low value red used in the fishbowl. Used once at the top and just above the resting position of the skull. Emphasis is given to the table. Its shape is an ellipse. The yellow tablecloth drapes over the table and covers it in its entirety.
The artwork perfectly encapsulates all the fundamentals elements and principles of the art scene in the early 1900’s. The mystery, primary colors, implied lines, and the solid elements bring together the essence of De Stijl art movement.
References
Wolf, J. (2011, November 22). "De Stijl Movement Overview and Analysis". The Art Story Contributors. https://www.theartstory.org/movement/de-stijl/#
Author's Note: The above painting was made in collaboration with 3 more artists including myself. Below are their socials.
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