The work Hemisphere was inspired by the cerebral hemispheres of the brain and how the left and right cerebral hemispheres interact and affect a person’s overall behaviour, ideology and belief. In using the hemisphere as a metaphor, the work examines the modern disconnect between Islamic tradition and cultural identities and its impact on current behaviours and thought in the current Muslim world. Hemisphere represents Gharem’s personal experience of working in the Saudi Arabian military as a Lieutenant Colonel and his views of how the Islamic faith is a means for peace and harmony, not religious sacrifice.

The stamp painting is rendered with a central image reminiscent of a dome of a mosque split into two colourful halves which is embraced by a monochromatic floral mosaic inspired by the Islamic traditional interior. The green dome of the Prophet Muhammed’s Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia is juxtaposed with an ancient warrior’s helmet. The green dome represents the peaceful nature of the Islamic faith. The distinctive conical shaped warrior helmet, decorated with Quranic passages, epitomises the current day use of religion to advance and influence adverse political interests - which is contrary to the spirituality of Islam. The structure is parted by a helmet’s nose guard, as a visually pleasing ornament, to raise awareness on how to preserve the Islamic tradition and ideology from future adverse influences.
(Abdulnasser Gharem, quoted on his website, www.abdulnassergharem.com)

Born 1973, Abdulnasser Gharem has gained international recognition and accolades for his artistic practice, which highlight socio-political issues in the Middle East. Solo exhibitions include his first major museum show Abdulnasser Gharem: Pause, LACMA, Los Angeles in 2017. Group shows include Station Museum, Houston, Texas (2016); Louisianan Museum of Modern Art, Humblebaek, Denmark (2016, 2013); the V&A, London (2012-2013); the British Museum, London (2012); the 54th Venice Biennale (2011) and the Gwangju Biennale (2010). Works held in public collections include Palazzo Grassi, Venice; LACMA, Los Angeles; The Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah and BASMOCA: Basma Al Sulaiman Museum of Contemporary Art, Jeddah.