And Bring to Bloom the Flowers - Art Reception

AN EXHIBITION OF NEW WORK BY MUSTAFA SHAHEEN

Exhibition Dates: January 25, 2016 - February 18, 2016 
Opening Reception: Thursday, January 28, 6 pm - 8 pm

ARTIST STATEMENT 
The idea of empathy is interesting to me. This facet of everyone’s being that allows individuals to identify with others has always felt worth exploring. From a young age, drawing was a way for me to connect to the world. As I’ve grown older, this effort has evolved into painting and portraiture. I am compelled to create in an attempt to bridge what feels like an expansive gap between myself and the outside world. The discipline of portraiture is a special way for me to form a connection between the subject and myself. Capturing the physical form and presence of a person though the medium of paint is much more intimate and interesting to me than the use of any other method; doing it in a realistic manner helps strengthen my connection to the individual. And Bring to Bloom the Flowers is an exploration in forming that special bond. Each person shared a story of something that bears some importance to them and then they were photographed with that item. I materialized my understanding of the subject through these articles of relevance. This was my experience and whatever resonates with you is now yours.

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