Poetics of Water
Poetics of Water duo show
The Poetics of Water duo exhibition at Castlefield Gallery
25 June 2023 — 24 September 2023
Exhibition preview: Thursday 22 June 2023, 6-8pm
No need to book, just come along!
Saturday Slow Preview: Saturday 24 June 2023
This Saturday Slow Preview is an opportunity to book a timed visit with additional restricted capacity in the gallery, so you can enjoy our new exhibition at your own pace
Opening on June 25th and running until September 24th, 2023, Castlefield Gallery will present "The Poetics of Water." This exhibition features new works by Jessica El Mal and Parham Ghalamdar, driven by the impact of capitalism, corruption, and colonialism on the natural environment. Ghalamdar's pieces include ceramics and oil paintings portraying dystopian landscapes saturated with vibrant colors. Inspired by a recurring theme in Persian mythology, he reflects upon the struggle to prevent the separation of soil and water and the suppression of growth and knowledge it entails. Ghalamdar finds it absurd that this struggle persists in contemporary politics without successful resolution.
El Mal and Ghalamdar share a common point of reference in their contrasting perspectives on rainfall, particularly between Manchester, where it is often complained about, and Morocco and Iran, where droughts and water shortages pose increasingly serious problems. Together, their artworks invite visitors to contemplate landscapes, borders, and centuries, encouraging profound reflection on the fundamental elements of soil and water.
CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO PLAY THE VIDEO.
HYBRID FUTURES PROGRAM
The "Poetics Of Water" duo show is part of a wider program called "The Hybrid Futures". Hybrid Futures is a multifaceted collaboration that focuses on climate, sustainability, collaborative learning, and co-production. It brings together Castlefield Gallery, Manchester; Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool; Touchstones Rochdale; University of Salford Art Collection; and Shezad Dawood Studio. This project is generously supported by Arts Council England and Art Fund.
The partners are dedicated to exploring collective and sustainable approaches by combining their expertise to shape the way new works by visual artists are commissioned, exhibited, and collected. As part of the program a series of exhibitions across the North West of England will showcase new works and co-commissions by artists Shezad Dawood, Jessica El Mal, Parham Ghalamdar, and RA Walden, all centered around the urgent theme of climate change.
To learn more about Hybrid Futures, please visit hybrid-futures.salford.ac.uk
oil Paintings
Glazed ceramics
handout
TRANSLATION
"The Workers Are Suffering" (2023) features a text written by a journalist, author, artist, and activist, whose name has been redacted for their safety. They have been incarcerated in Iran under charges of “propaganda against the system” and “conspiracy and collusion to undermine national security”. The text has been translated from Persian to English by Ghalamdar who has also added a preface. The work serves as an example of the Iranian government's suppression of climate change rhetoric. The author's exploration of the climate crisis has been deemed heretical within the context of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Check out the exhibition review titled "Hybrid Futures: 'The Poetics of Water' at Castlefield Gallery" by Charu Vallabhbhai on the Fourdrinier.
Jules Lister, a photographer and filmmaker specializing in exhibition documentation, live art performances, events, portraits, and product photography, meticulously documented and photographed this exhibition.
With the generous assistance of artist Alice Merida Richards, the ceramics made for the "Poetics of Water" exhibition were fired and glazed at The Manchester Ceramic Collective studios.
EMBEDDED MEDIA
https://www.youtube.com/embed/WXSTxzjsGUA
