APT9/ Artist Stories: Ali Kazim is interested in the history of landscapes

DELVE DEEPER into APT9 https://blog.qagoma.qld.gov.au/category/qagoma/asia-pacific-triennial/ SUBSCRIBE to be the first to go behind-the-scenes/ Ali Kazim creates highly crafted works that experiment with painterly techniques to create atmospheric, dream-like qualities. In precise detail, Kazim captures the stillness of a deserted landscape or a sudden transformation as a storm tears through parched terrain. His paintings are based on the Punjab region of Pakistan – once home to a large part of the Indus Valley Civilisation and now scattered with ancient ruins. Kazim is interested in the history of Pakistan’s landscapes and the ancient civilizations that once inhabited the region, particularly imagining the stories hidden in unexcavated remains, regularly visiting these ruins, studying the mounds that form the contours of the landscape, and searching the sites of long-abandoned cities, which are partly exposed or still buried. Working in a range of techniques, styles and scales, he draws on a repertoire of techniques and materials to access these emotive surroundings and conjure the mysteries of forgotten cities. The large landscape is informed by Siyah Qalam, a fleetingly popular form of Persian painting influenced by the ink painting traditions of East Asia, whereby multiple layers of ink were applied with a fine brush. Kazim also creates atmospheric compositions on polyester film rendered in pigment with cotton or soft brushes, delicate paintings that capture a sudden moment of transformation as severe weather tears through parched terrain. Stencils and erasers are used to detail bolts of lightning, and storm and dust clouds, elements that momentarily bring the landscapes to life. Kazim is also interested in how pottery shards have transformed over centuries from practical objects to remnants of deserted and forgotten places, and the blackened ceramics bear organic lines or veins to resemble both rocks and organs. Ali Kazim, Pakistan b.1979 / Untitled (ruins series) 2018 / Watercolour pigments on paper / Four sheets: 206 x 456cm (overall) / Purchased 2018 with funds from the Contemporary Patrons through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Purchased 2018 with funds from the Contemporary Patrons through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Ali Kazim Ali Kazim, Pakistan b.1979 / Untitled (storm series) 2018 / Pigments on mylar / 32 x 42cm / Purchased 2018 with funds from the Contemporary Patrons through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Ali Kazim Ali Kazim, Pakistan b.1979 / Untitled (cloud series) 2018 / Pigments on mylar / 32 x 42cm / Purchased 2018 with funds from the Contemporary Patrons through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Ali Kazim Exclusive to QAGOMA, the latest chapter in the Gallery’s flagship exhibition series 'The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art' includes new and recent work by more than 80 emerging and established artists and collectives from more than 30 countries. APT presents a wonderful opportunity for visual artists from across Australia and the Asia Pacific to collaborate and share works that are a powerful expression of their cultures and experiences. Free, and curated for audiences of all ages, 'The 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art' (APT9) is presented across both the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). WEBSITE: https://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/apt9 The 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT9) / Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) Brisbane Australia / 24 Nov 2018 – 28 Apr 2019 APT9 has been assisted by our Founding Supporter Queensland Government and Principal Partner the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments. Source: QAGOMA APT Archive © Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees, 2018 #AliKazim #APT9 #QAGOMA