After exhibiting in London, Mumbai, New Delhi, Freiberg, Hamburg, Sydney, and Singapore, Shezad Dawood’s work is rapidly growing in international acclaim and is now being shown in Dubai. The Battle of Algiers Suite depicts recreated stills from Pontecorvo’s 1966 epic film The Battle of Algiers which documents the dying moments of the harsh French rule in Algiers. This series of 13 works was produced to the duration of 13 LPs in 2005. “The Battle of Algiers Suite is a meditation on the relationship between history, fiction, documentary and memory, as well as on the conflicting relationship between different cultural texts” explains Dawood. “Each of the paintings was painted from memory to the duration of a different cult western music album, within my record collection.”
When The Third Line launched its first Arab Film Series screenings with “The Battle of Algiers” in 2006, it was to a packed audience and a lively debate. The Third Line is thrilled to re-visit the theme through Dawood’s work, which tackles the complexities at play, in the formulation of a so-called identity in a globalized/post colonial context.
The Creek Art Fair will open to the public from 6 to 10th March. It is an initiative by local galleries to hold a fringe art fair that will occur in parallel to the Gulf Art Fair. Its purpose is to promote home grown galleries and up and coming contemporary artists from the region in an area that has become synonymous with preserving the heritage of the city of Dubai.
About Shezad Dawood
Born in London to an Indian father and a Pakistani mother, Shezad Dawood has lived and studied in his adoptive city. Rising to international acclaim, Dawood majored in Fine Art at St Martin’s College of Art & Design then at the Royal College of Art in 2003. Since the beginning of his career, Dawood took part in a number of important exhibitions across Europe, Australia and India.
About The Third Line
Formed in early 2005 by three partners, Sunny Rahbar, Omar Ghobash and Claudia Cellini, The Third Line is an art gallery bringing to Dubai art from the region, which until now has not had a platform. It creates paths that ultimately lead to a lively dialogue between the artists and the public.
Since The Third Line's inception, it has regularly featured cutting-edge exhibitions, showcased international calibre artists and established a collector's base, which is ever-increasing. In April 2006, an Arab literary appreciation group called Kutub was launched, and in May and September respectively, an Arab Film Series to great success. It also hosts one-off artist talks and literary seminars. Furthermore, it recently introduced student programming with shows by Latifa College and the American University in Dubai, plus Moving Walls, a photojournalism exhibition with workshops on tour from New York. In February 2006, the gallery launched Hiraf – crafts in Arabic – a series of small scale exhibitions aimed at reviving contemporary Middle Eastern crafts.
For further info, artist bios, images, please contact:
The Third Line, Al Quoz 3, same side as the Courtyard (backside), opposite Golden Sands Laundry warehouse, opening hours Saturday to Thursday 11am to 8pm. Tel: (04) 341 1367, Fax: (04) 341 1369, alia@thethirdline.com, www.thethirdline.com
