{"id":38515,"date":"2017-05-24T18:29:21","date_gmt":"2017-05-24T22:29:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.artoronto.ca\/?p=38515"},"modified":"2017-05-24T18:51:40","modified_gmt":"2017-05-24T22:51:40","slug":"life-disrupted-gallery-1313","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/v2.artoronto.ca\/?p=38515","title":{"rendered":"LIFE DISRUPTED \/ Gallery 1313"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>From left to right: Elham Hazfi, Irit Epstein and Lina Faroussi in their exhibition in Gallery 1313. Photo: Phil Anderson<\/p>\n

Interview with\u00a0Elham Hazfi (EH), Irit Epstein (IE) and Lina Faroussi (LF) by Phil Anderson (PA)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The three artists from three countries (Iran, Israel and Syria) now living in Toronto, explore in their work the humanitarian crisis in our contemporary world, a result of man-made destruction.<\/p>\n

PA: How did the three of you meet?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

LF: I initiated the idea of a group of artists that would have an annual\u00a0exhibition. I knew Elham and Irit separately, and introduced them to each\u00a0other.<\/p>\n

EH: Last March, when I had a catch-up coffee with Lina, she initiated\u00a0the idea of creating an art critique session with other artists (mostly in\u00a0painting). The purpose was to get other professional ideas about our works,\u00a0exchange news about the art world, and eventually have group exhibitions\u00a0together.<\/p>\n

IE: Once the three of us met,\u00a0we found that we had a lot in common as artists and women, as well as being\u00a0immigrants who came to Canada from the Middle East.<\/p>\n

PA: Did you find you had common themes in your art works?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

IE: The most recent series that Lina and I were working on both were dealing with man-made disasters.\u00a0Lina was portraying the Syrian War, and I was working on portraying the\u00a0experiences of refugees, migration and loss of home and homeland. Lina\u00a0thought of doing a joint exhibition, and Elham joined in with a related\u00a0theme, centered around what is left behind: hopes, expectations and the\u00a0feelings that are evoked when one migrates.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Irit Epstein, The Map and the Territory, oil and mixed media on canvas, 24″x 24″. Courtesy of the artist<\/p>\n

LF: In the beginning, Irit and I were working on our separate series, mine\u00a0titled ‘The Obvious and the Obscure’, and hers ‘The Map and the Territory’.\u00a0I thought the two series coincidentally complemented each other. They had a\u00a0similar vision and theme that I thought would fit well in a group\u00a0exhibition. Elham joined in, beginning with her work ‘Bad Dude Land’,\u00a0followed by other paintings and an installation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Lina Faroussi, Beyond Boundaries, acrylic on wood panel, 20″ x 16″.\u00a0Courtesy of the artist<\/p>\n

EH: We shared a similar vision. We are all interested in painting figures and human emotions in\u00a0different circumstances. It was fascinating to see how Lina and Irit were diving\u00a0into the deepest layers of their life experiences. My work is usually about people\u2019s emotions and interactions, so\u00a0I guess my works covered the individual aspect of the subject.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Elham Hazfi, Bad Dude Land, mixed media on wood panel, 36″ x 72″.\u00a0Courtesy of the artist<\/p>\n

PA: Why do you think it was necessary to show your work together?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

IE: Our work shows three points of view that portray the results of what is\u00a0and has been happening in the world. They cover different topics and\u00a0aspects of immigration, but together they create a theme that is much broader and more\u00a0meaningful, and can promote insight and conversation.<\/p>\n

PA: What do you hope people take from this exhibition?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

EH: I would like people to see themselves in my paintings. Alienation and not\u00a0fitting in is not only for immigrants, as it could be experienced by anyone\u00a0with any background. This exhibition may lead to a conversation about the\u00a0subject, which is valuable in itself.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Elham Hazfi, Untitled 2, acrylic on canvas, 24″x 30″.\u00a0Courtesy of the artist<\/p>\n

IE: I am hoping that this exhibition will offer another way to look at what\u00a0is happening in the world today. Art can provide an aesthetic dimension to\u00a0sensitive subjects, and enable an ongoing observation that can promote\u00a0dialogue, raise awareness and inspire change.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Irit Epstein, Reality Extract, oil and mixed media on canvas, 24″ x 24″.\u00a0Courtesy of the artist<\/p>\n

LF: I hope people can see beyond politics, can open dialogues with us and with each other, and think in open minded ways, out of the boxes of countries or politics. Then I hope some solution might\u00a0follow. As Bertrand Russell wrote, \u201cwar is not about who is right but who is left.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Lina Faroussi, Over Their Shoulders, acrylic on canvas, 48″ x 48″.\u00a0Courtesy of the artist<\/p>\n

PA: What is the strongest message you want to covey?<\/span><\/p>\n

IE: Art can build bridges.<\/p>\n

LF: Art has no identity<\/p>\n

EH: Conveying feelings is what an artist does, not sending a message.<\/p>\n

PA: Do you see yourself doing any future exhibition together?<\/span><\/p>\n

IE: Since we have a lot in common, there is a lot of potential to continue to collaborate.<\/p>\n

*Exhibition information: May 25 – June 4, 2017,\u00a0 Gallery 1313, 1313 Queen Street West, Toronto. Gallery hours: Wed \u2013 Sun, 1 \u2013 6 pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Phil Anderson<\/strong><\/p>\n

three artists from three countries, now living in Toronto, explore in their work the humanitarian crisis in our contemporary world<\/p>\n

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