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Wael Shawky
Cabaret Crusades
Shawky's characteristic drawings, installation
and sculptural works, using asphalt and
galvanized wire since 1998, coincide with
his early experiments with performance and
video. His work often deals with the
dichotomies and contradictions of social
norms, primarily relating to culture and religion.
Possessing an acute sense of the
absurd, he raises questions about what is
generally perceived as "normal" and
"acceptable". Within this context, Wael has
explored a variety of specific themes that
are often rooted in regional issues yet have
profound international relevance - themes
such as modernisation, cultural hybridisation,
and marginalisation.
The installation of 9 flags and 13 drawings
from the Cabaret Crusades project, tells the
story of the First Crusade of 1096–1099
from the perspectives of Arab historians.
These look like abstract paintings and refer
to Crusader heraldry, and are made of geometric
pieces of dark, sparkling tarmac,
sandpaper and galvanized wire that hover
between painting and sculpture. Also on
view are a suite of fantastical drawings in
ink, pencil and metallic pigments that illustrate
fairytale-like interactions between
imaginary beasts, landscapes, architecture,
and the natural elements. Shawky opens up
the texture of history and confronts this faraway
time in vivid focus and tactile intensity.
Wael Shawky, Cabaret Crusades flags, asphalt, tarmac, liquid tar, enamel, galvanized wire, 40 x 50 cm, 2010.
Courtesy the artist.
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