First Antonio Dias Solo Exhibition In The Region Opens At Sharjah Art Foundation
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Witness the works of Antonio Dias upclose at Sharjah Art Foundation until this December
Uncover the bold and thought-provoking works of Antonio Dias (1944–2018) in the exhibition “The Search for an Open Enigma,” running from 28 September to 8 December 2024, at Al Hamriyah Studios.
New Exhibition Alert
This captivating show celebrates Dias’ relentless exploration of material and conceptual boundaries, addressing complex sociopolitical issues through a diverse array of mediums. The exhibition’s title, inspired by artist-critic Hélio Oiticica, reflects the open-ended nature of Dias’ iconography.
At the exhibition step into a world filled with striking imagery, vibrant colours, and enigmatic figures. Dias’ mixed-media pieces from the early 1960s offer poignant critiques of the violent military dictatorship in his native Brazil. These formative years saw him ingeniously weave the visual language of Brazilian popular culture with sharp commentary on violence and censorship.
A History
In 1966, Dias relocated to Paris with just a suitcase and a handful of drawings, embarking on a journey of self-exile in Europe that took him from Milan to Cologne. Influenced by Italy’s Arte Povera movement, he gravitated toward conceptualism and the ‘non-image.’
The core of this exhibition features the artist’s works from the late 1960s to mid-1970s. These showcase monochromatic paintings filled with text, geometric installations critiquing art and society, and performative experiments captured on Super 8 film.
A TransitionFrom the 1980s onwards, Dias transitioned to creating abstract paintings that employed metallic pigments and vibrant colours, infusing his work with dynamic formations and a poignant sense of humour.
“The Search for an Open Enigma” is the first solo exhibition of Dias’ art in the region, paying tribute to his versatile and subversive approach. Curated by Hoor Al Qasimi, Director of Sharjah Art Foundation, alongside Reem Sawan, Curatorial Assistant, this exhibition invites you to explore the evolution of Dias’ artistic journey from the 1960s through the late 1990s.
