Opening Saturday, October 18 between 2pm and 7pm.
SILK SONG is the first solo exhibition of Jamel Armand (b. 1978) at Gallery Hioco Delany. Earlier work by the Dutch artist was on view in the group exhibition FIGURATIVELY SPEAKING. Armand is known for his colorful figures, which serve as an ode to folk art and to his Indonesian roots. For SILK SONG, Armand has created a new series of paintings and a sculpture.
An imagined, soft lullaby, SILK SONG, recalls the unconditional care we give to those we love. For Armand, watching over his son marked the beginning of this new body of work. He finds that same sense of nurture in art where he, as an artist, can make the sense of warm comfort tangible. In SILK SONG Armand's son is literally symbolized by a young wolf. In many cultures, from non-Western indigenous traditions to European folklore, the wolf is regarded as a powerful symbol. The interaction between the cub and the mythical figures that characterise Armand's visual language, adds a new, vulnerable dimension to the work of the artist. In this way, SILK SONG presents the most personal work to date by Armand, shifting the focus from portraying the power of the individual to evoking the disarming joy of a warm home.
Folk art is a guiding thread in Armand’s oeuvre and remains a strong source of inspiration in SILK SONG. The word ‘Silk’ refers not only to the soft nature of a lullaby, but also directly to the maritime Silk Routes that passed along the islands of Armand’s ancestors. Silk thus symbolises the connection between continents and the range of rituals, cultural symbols and songs that were exchanged. With its great mix of influences, from Javanese to Arab, Chinese to European, Surbaya, the Indonesian city from which Armand’s family originates, is the embodiment of this interwoven cultural history. Armand seeks to capture the spirit of the multi-layered Surabayan culture in his work. Symbolism from different cultures comes together on the canvas, forming an image that can be read across cultural boundaries. The poses of his painted figures refer to ritual dances performed in variations across the world. The absence of perspective is another important element drawn from traditional art forms, as are the animals and animal masks that also appear as symbols in many cultures.
Where Armand previously used bright colors to bring a contemporary touch to his work, he now deliberately chooses a more muted, earthy palette. His work thereby seems to reach a new maturity, moving away from playfulness and towards a more intimate experience for the viewer. The interplay of symbols, the allusions to folk art and the colors in this new work all contribute to the unique visual language of Armand. With SILK SONG, Armand addresses communities, large and small, calling for a sense of calm and connectedness, like a father singing a lullaby to his son.
Text by Jens Roothoofd
