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In one basic way of describing the cosmos, ‘Âlam al-Shahâda, the World of Seeing or “visible world”, is contrasted with ‘Âlam al-Ghayb, the World of Mystery or “invisible world”. In modern language they are sometimes described as the Conscious and the Unconscious. We are familiar with the former; it is forever filling our senses, concealing from us a subtler and wider reality that we only taste when we sleep. In this piece inspired by a dream, the “visible world” is spelled out in the foreground mandala, which is torn to reveal a whole other world behind it, much like a painted theater background that collapses to reveal the reality behind it. This impression is reinforced by the contrasting treatment of the two planes. In the foreground I deliberately dulled the blue and used golden gouache for the dots, instead of the usual, much more gold-like metal leaf. The background on the other hand, unstructured and boundless, is painted over aluminium which shines through the watercololour, providing a mysterious depth. The myriad stars are painted in shell gold 24ct and shell palladium, then burnished, in order to truly sparkle.
In one basic way of describing the cosmos, ‘Âlam al-Shahâda, the World of Seeing or “visible world”, is contrasted with ‘Âlam al-Ghayb, the World of Mystery or “invisible world”. In modern language they are sometimes described as the Conscious and the Unconscious. We are familiar with the former; it is forever filling our senses, concealing from us a subtler and wider reality that we only taste when we sleep. In this piece inspired by a dream, the “visible world” is spelled out in the foreground mandala, which is torn to reveal a whole other world behind it, much like a painted theater background that collapses to reveal the reality behind it. This impression is reinforced by the contrasting treatment of the two planes. In the foreground I deliberately dulled the blue and used golden gouache for the dots, instead of the usual, much more gold-like metal leaf. The background on the other hand, unstructured and boundless, is painted over aluminium which shines through the watercololour, providing a mysterious depth. The myriad stars are painted in shell gold 24ct and shell palladium, then burnished, in order to truly sparkle.
In one basic way of describing the cosmos, ‘Âlam al-Shahâda, the World of Seeing or “visible world”, is contrasted with ‘Âlam al-Ghayb, the World of Mystery or “invisible world”. In modern language they are sometimes described as the Conscious and the Unconscious. We are familiar with the former; it is forever filling our senses, concealing from us a subtler and wider reality that we only taste when we sleep. In this piece inspired by a dream, the “visible world” is spelled out in the foreground mandala, which is torn to reveal a whole other world behind it, much like a painted theater background that collapses to reveal the reality behind it. This impression is reinforced by the contrasting treatment of the two planes. In the foreground I deliberately dulled the blue and used golden gouache for the dots, instead of the usual, much more gold-like metal leaf. The background on the other hand, unstructured and boundless, is painted over aluminium which shines through the watercololour, providing a mysterious depth. The myriad stars are painted in shell gold 24ct and shell palladium, then burnished, in order to truly sparkle.
Framed view

506 Views

6

View In My Room

Original
Prints

Behind the Seen Painting

Joumana Medlej

United Kingdom

Painting, Watercolor on Aluminium

Size: 65 W x 65 H x 2 D cm

Ships in a Crate

SOLD
Originally listed for $2,810

506 Views

6

Artist Recognition
link - Artist featured in a collection

Artist featured in a collection

ABOUT THE ARTWORK
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In one basic way of describing the cosmos, ‘Âlam al-Shahâda, the World of Seeing or “visible world”, is contrasted with ‘Âlam al-Ghayb, the World of Mystery or “invisible world”. In modern language they are sometimes described as the Conscious and the Unconscious. We are familiar with the former; ...

Year Created:

2017

Subject:

Mortality

Styles:

Conceptual

, 

Abstract

 

Mediums:

Watercolor

, 

Acrylic

, 

Shell gold

, 

Gouache

, 

Shell palladium

, 

Aluminium

, 

Paper

 

Mediums:

Painting, Watercolor on Aluminium

Rarity:

One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:

65 W x 65 H x 2 D cm

Ready to Hang:

Yes

Frame:

White

Authenticity:

Certificate is Included

Packaging:

Ships in a Crate

Delivery Cost:

Shipping is included in price.

Delivery Time:

Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.

Returns:

14-day return policy. Visit our help section for more information.

Handling:

Ships in a wooden crate for additional protection of heavy or oversized artworks. Artists are responsible for packaging and adhering to Saatchi Art’s packaging guidelines.

Ships From:

United Kingdom.

Customs:

Shipments from United Kingdom may experience delays due to country's regulations for exporting valuable artworks.

Need more information?

Contact us.

Need more information?

Contact us.

I'm a British-Lebanese artist who moved from Beirut to East London about a decade ago. I'm best known for reviving archaic styles of Arabic calligraphy (the Kufi scripts) and the medieval art materials that accompany them. My work reflects my experience of the world as being alive with mystery. It invites the viewer to step into this forgotten space by holding them in wonder and stillness: in this vulnerable moment, when one is silenced by beauty and by not-knowing, remembrance can stir. To this end, the work takes on different shapes, from images of contemplation made up of unreadable words to multisensory interactive objects that tell an unspoken story.

Artist Recognition
Artist featured in a collection

Artist featured by Saatchi Art in a collection

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