Kal Elshmaa

29.05.08-22.06.08 (Galleri A minor)

10 works in oil on canvas.
From NOK 5.000,- to NOK 25.000,-

In this series of paintings the figure has become the dominant element as apposed to the environment. Allowing the figures surrounding to cooperate with it to create a unity in the overall feel of the picture. With different processes and techniques I have been able to create surfaces that are unique in almost each picture and giving it a certain visual affect. Influences from Arabic music, in which sometimes even though the words in a song can be melancholy the tones of the song seem to be happy and active and vibrant. In such a way I have allowed the colors to become those vibrant and active tones in the pictures. I used thick and thin oil paint to help increase the body of the colors, using different adding and scrubbing colors on the canvas gave a great affect.

Ancient Egyptian art in combination with my western education and influences by it has still played a great roll in those pictures. The figures may be flat and reminding of cave and Egyptian art, but the color usage and the forms and contents of the pieces has a certain western dominance.