DUBAI — A new exhibition by a diverse group of artists is set to celebrate the often underrated medium of paper. “Paper” — which opens on Feb. 4 at the XVA Gallery, DIFC — features works by the artists Anish Kapoor, Walid Siti, Imran Channa, Debjani Bhardwaj and Mohsen Ahmadvand. The show comprises a selection of pieces that examine and portray the ways in which the artists use paper, and the diversity of the art forms that it can create. Guests will be invited to view the works of Indian artist Kapoor, an internationally renowned sculptor, whose work has won him a number of high-profile accolades including Commander of the French Ordre des Arts et de Letters in 2011. Kapoor's art is derived from a contract between presence and absence, place and non-place, the solid and the intangible. Also displaying her work is renowned Indian artist Bhardwaj, a former financial analyst who made the transition to art, finding initial success with sculpture. As she experimented with different media throughout her career, she has best become known for her highly detailed and thoughtful paper work cuts. The exhibition is also an opportunity for art lovers to view a body of work by Iraqi artist Siti, who has been inspired by his life experiences and connections with his homeland. Described by the Economist magazine as “a vision of the future,” Siti's work has been represented in numerous galleries across the globe. Additionally, celebrated Pakistani contemporary visual artist Channa, who has achieved several awards including the Sovereign Art Prize 2010, will be presenting work that focuses on modern history, bringing to light the violence and tensions in the 21st century. To complete the exhibition, distinguished Iranian artist Ahmadvand displays his humor and talent for poetry with inspiration deriving from vintage photography and the mass media. His expertise is demonstrated in his ability to create juxtaposition and tension. Meagan Kelly-Horsman, Director of the XVA Gallery, said: “Through this exhibition we are encouraging our clients to explore paper as an underrated artistic medium. “We hope that by showcasing works from both well-established and emerging artists, we will underline the diversity of its numerous applications and help redefine the limits of this seemingly simple form of expression.” — SG
