An Overwhelming Breath

Hussein Salim was born in Kalima, Sudan in 1966. In 1994 he graduated from a fine arts college in Khartoum. With many many exhibitions from 1990 to 1998, he is well respected as a contemporary African artist around the world. He has shown his works from Japan to the Netherlands, his works speak for him.

Hussein Salim

Little information is available about Salim but it is known that he was, like many others, forced to leave Sudan due to the political upheavals currently running the nation. He now travels Europe, though whether he still exhibits is unknown. Despite his experiences, or perhaps because of them, he creates works that are both present and future. He captures no picture perfect setting nor does he portray the truly gruesome, though his works share both.

Twins, we are. 1997.

With paintings displaying images of cultural and artistic significance, Salim represents the hopeful future of Sudan. Comprised of many cultures and religions, Sudan is so much more than a warzone. It is a nation full of symbols, dreams, brilliant colors and diverse interpretations. Nothing is ever simple, but from complexity and turbulence we can learn much.

Twins, we are is a gorgeous piece, and though I do not know much of Salim’s personal symbolism, I can perhaps begin to interpret the piece. At the shoulder they are inserperable, their bold colors blending. Their forms are soft, with broad rounded brushstrokes and delicate flowers lending accent while the brilliant reds contribute to the cultural aspect. Of all the textures and colors most memorable from photos from African artists, red is the most notable. It is rich, perhaps immitating the ever present clay or the setting sun, it is gorgeous regardless of where it originates from.

Distances, getting longer. 1996

A more nebular examle of Salim’s work is Distances, getting longer. The title alone suggests much conerning the inspiration and history of this piece. The depth and coloration are so clear. Without any prompting, there are emotions tied to this piece. The rounded upper left and the blocky base in the center, slight patterning and the edging all suggest one thing. An arrow nearly confirms it for me. This is a heart. It takes everything in and leaves it as compost. Perhaps my imagination stretches itself or perhaps it is interpreted differently by each viewer. As an abstract and post modern artist, Salim disregards what is clear and conventional and portrays his experiences as he knows them.

The final piece is rich in detail and as such will be as large as I can make it in order to get its full range.

Echo of an Echo. 1996.

This is my personal favorite. The arrows go in every direction, in every color, each block shows something of the previous while retaining its individual peculiarities. Each has its own texture and it’s own focus, some do not fit any mold and others seem to be part of the same puzzle. It almost reminds me of Andy Warhol’s work if it weren’t for the fact that this is more complex.

It’s impossible for me to explain what this piece means or where it came from. It suggests direction, change, transition but I can merely guess. Were I to give my impression, I would say that it is a reflection of change over time. Every day we wake up someone new. We still have our pasts, but our choices don’t have to be the same. It’s a brand new day with all of its greif and hope rolled up into one. Some situations will not allow us to make a new decision, but others may demand it. Pitfalls and opportunities walk in hand. But that is how life is. We aren’t given the choice of where we are born or in what situations we will arrive. But without choice, life is no more than a waiting game with no reprieve. I don’t want to preach (not that I’m really trying to avoid it) nor do I want to sound like someone who is living in an idyllic world believing that good will win the battle. I’m not and I don’t. I live in a world that doesn’t know where it’s going or what’s taking it there. I live in a world that can’t bring itself together. And no, good may not always triumph, many have died due to misused power, but I sincerely hope that good will prevail. That the choices we have been given will lead us to a world that can choose where it’s going.

Sources:

http://www.shibrain.com/artists/hussein/index.htm

http://www.absolutearts.com/artsnews/2005/07/15/33156.html

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