"They reflected the changing cultural, social, and technological landscape, highlighting the desire to create art that transcended traditional boundaries."
Bringing together modern and contemporary artists whose practices were influenced by the corporeality of painting techniques present in Art Informel, Abstract Expressionism, and Kinetic art, The selection of artists fearlessly rejected representation within the context of their cultures. The artists on display include Abdelkader Guermaz (Algeria, 1919-1996), Asma M’naouar (Tunisia, b. 1965), Chafic Abboud (Lebanon, 1926-2004), Hedi Turki (Tunisia, 1922-2019), Leopoldo Torres-Agüero (Argentina, 1922-1995), Mahjoub Ben Bella (Algeria, 1946-2020), Mohamed Khadda (Algeria, 1930-1991), and Nasser Assar (Iran, 1928-2011).
Coined as 'Art Informel' in Paris and 'Abstract Expressionism' in New York, a wave of experimentation, including movements such as kinetic art, indicated a clear desire for change within the art world. These movements were part of a broader wave of experimentation and liberation in the post-war art world. They reflected the changing cultural, social, and technological landscape, highlighting the desire to create art that transcended traditional boundaries. Often characterised by the modulations in the brush strokes, layered contrasting compositions and an ever-present polytonality, Non-figurative painting manipulates the viewers perspective. Sometimes abrupt and angular, a delicate stroke can quickly become broad, fluid.
With the advent of progressive international travel, a surge in cross-cultural discourse led to the emergence of interconnected creative channels. Intertwined passages were formed, allowing the Émigré artist to explore styles rooted in expressive, lyrical and dynamic modes of painting. The focus shifted to the stroke itself, with its multiple forms no longer validated within a collective output, but appreciated for its own complexity.
