Ali Akbar: 10 Minutes with the International Artist Before His July 12th Dallas Opening

“The alpha state is a place where we can allow chaos to co-exist with tranquility. Where

color and the absence of color mingle but do not consume one another. “– Ali Akbar

Alpha State© is a collection of Akbar’s work – including several new pieces – born out

of his fascination with the “color” white, how it is derived through light and pigment, and

what it represents. Utilizing texture, shadow, and an "excavation" technique to create

multi-layered surfaces that are reminiscent of landscapes, moonscapes and aquatic

worlds, Akbar’s paintings evoke a sense of both energy and emptiness.

“I excavate my paintings, adding color and effacing, in a long cycle until the work comes

to completion by evolving into what I feel is a solid and existing image, yet at the same

time evokes some absence. To me, the process and result mirror our life cycle in that we

build up an existence, vanish suddenly in death, and yet are fully present for the living

through memory.”

BLOW-UP had the most fortunate opportunity to catch up with the Dallas based international artist Ali Akbar before his next major opening (Alpha State) this next Tuesday July 12^th at Steve Paul Productions in Dallas. The busy artist has recently been preparing not only for Alpha State, but another opening in Bangladesh set for fall 2011. I’ve been following Akbar’s work for a couple of years now and his new series showing this next week has definitely taken my fancy. Akbar’s themes mimic movement, space and in some instances a lack of both. Attending art school in Bangladesh at The Dhaka University, Akbar explored his earliest visions of ancient eastern philosophy in his first works. In 1991 he moved to the United States to further his studies at The California Institute of Arts and Crafts. From his experiences living in both hemispheres of the world he has maximized eastern and western philosophies with all due post modern sensibilities applicable to his creations. The result being an art career spanning 26 years. So where do you start when interviewing a professional artist of that caliber? Back to the basics, where does it all come from?

Scott: “I’ve noticed white as the dominant color in your most recent paintings. Are there any special or significant meanings the color white has in the works, or maybe do you see the color white as a dominant force or to highlight voids of color in the works?”

Ali: “White is the color or light, pure energy itself and the color of both interpersonal ideology and spiritual communication”.

Scott: “That’s very interesting, communication. Now is that personal communication with spirituality or is that a specific religious ideology?"

Ali: “No, would say it’s definitely personal/interpersonal communication and spirituality itself other than any specific religious ideology”.

Ali talked more about the power of light in his paintings and his extensive travels in Europe and Paris in particular. Then I told him about the first piece of his I saw two years ago. It was a three dimensional painting called “Newborn” from 2008. The painting sold at the Decorazon Gallery last year and was inspired by an ultra sound the artist had of his young son just before birth. The painting had a three dimensional aspect to it because the middle seemed removed and was seperately displayed next to the original. The concept of “Newborn” spoke for itself and was even more interesting in person. With three dimensionality in mind we continued our conversation.

Scott: “I’ve also noticed the layers upon layers of paint that are faintly exposed and even sometimes highlighted in almost a three dimensional state. You then cover some of them with titanium white and leave other areas original and almost vulnerable. What do you feel the layers of paint say about your work as an artist?”

Ali: “In the past few years I’ve really found myself artistically. I see one of my paintings now and I think, yes that’s me. My paintings are now much more subjective by nature than before and the layers of paint either exposed or covered in white convey the innermost essence of my work as an artist”.

Scott: What else would like to say about your work or your career as an artist?”

Ali: “It’s been a good journey for me. Before my work was very chaotic and now I am a minimalist. It’s been a good journey”.
　
You too can catch international artist Ali Akbar Tuesday July 12^th at the, Alpha State opening from 6-9PM at Steve Paul Productions. (2814 Main Street, Dallas TX 75226) For any further questions or inquiries please contact Steve Paul Productions at (214) 742-4082
BLOW-UP

Ali Akbar Past Exhibitions
Solo exhibitions: NOT HERE, L'ALLIANCE FRANACAISE (Dhaka, Bangladesh),
GOGON (SKY), Gallery Kaya (Dhaka, Bangladesh), BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT,
Decorazon Gallery (Dallas, New York), INTO THE VOID, Brazos Gallery, Richland
College (Dallas), HALLWALLS, The Center for Contemporary Art (Dallas), SHANTI,
Expo 825 Gallery (Dallas), H2O, Gallery 21 (Dhaka, Bangladesh), WATER/JAL, Cedar
Valley College (Dallas), RECENT WORKS, Icehouse Gallery (Dallas), NONDINI, Web
Corner Gallery (Dallas), L’ALLIANCE FRANCAISE (Dhaka, Bangladesh)