ArtKōrero, an international art consultancy, presents It Comes in Waves, abstract artist Sepideh Ilsley’s first solo exhibition in the Middle East. On display at the Foundry Downtown art space in Dubai, her monochromatic works depict the intricate interplay of bold sculptural forms and grant one the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the artist’s subconscious. The show will be open to the public until the 7th of January 2024.
For Ilsley, painting is a meditative practice. Open to the unpredictable, each stroke and contour on a canvas becomes a therapeutic exploration. The fluidity of these abstract shapes allows the artist to engage with and manage the complexities of the world as well as express these encounters in a tangible form.
“My shapes are like poetry to me. Snapshots of moments in time,” Ilsley says. Through her art pieces, she aims to evoke emotion and hopes that viewers see their own story in her paintings. The titles of the works can additionally trigger the spectator’s imagination, so they are equally important for the artist as the finished pieces.
Ilsley’s work encompasses artistic expression and an important message on global ecological issues related to water. It echoes the environmental concerns at the centre of COP28 discussions held in Dubai throughout the exhibition.
About the artist
Sepideh Ilsley (b. 1980, Shiraz, Iran) grew up in Sweden. After extensive travelling, she eventually settled in Australia, where she still resides. Ilsley worked as an art director and graphic designer, but at one point, she started her career as an independent artist.
In her work, Ilsley freely expresses her thoughts, feelings, memories, experiences, past, and future. To produce another of her art pieces, she makes a digital sketch and then paints it on Belgian linen by hand. Passionate about simplicity, the artist likes to work with imperfections: a misstep often makes the entire artwork come together. Using a language of shapes, she encourages the viewer to allow the work to recall a memory, an event, or a thought previously experienced. So the art piece provides time to contemplate and celebrate that moment.
Ilsley has showcased her creations in several solo and group exhibitions which include Stentorian Air, Hear Her Roar (L&G Projects, San Diego, California, USA, 2023); SUBCONSCIOUS FOW BY SEPIDEH ILSLEY (Gallery Red, Palma, Spain, 2022); Winter Wonderland Showcase (L&G Projects, San Diego, California, USA, 2021); and Holiday Gift Guide (TAPPAN, Los Angeles, USA, 2019), to name a few. The artist’s works can be found in public and private collections in different countries, such as Singapore, India, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Canada, Australia, and the USA.
To learn more about It Comes in Waves, please visit the show’s official web page.
You might also be interested in visiting Black & White by Wissam Shawkat.
