Ibrahim Ahmed — Artist

Ard El Lewa 2015/2016

This latest body of work, Ard El Lewa, explores themes such as transnational identity, migration and borderlessness. The mixed media pieces are composed of an assemblage of cloth fragments painted with acrylic wall paint and later distressed and faded. They visually quote tapestry traditions found across the Silk Road countries and beyond. Formalistically the pieces recall various decorative motifs, architectural elements and artistic references shared by a variety of cultures despite the modern constructions of insular so-called authentic national cultures. The works, created in one of Cairo’s popular yet marginalized urban areas, stem from my personal immigrant experience. Ard El Lewa is a collection of works about ambiguity, in-betweeness, and the fallacy of authenticity as a governing concept for identity construction.

Ard El ewa #16 4ftx4ft approx. Mixed Media 2016 Installation shot – “Pressing Fallacies” – Townhouse West Gallery

Ard El ewa #16 4ftx4ft approx. Mixed Media 2016 Installation shot – “Pressing Fallacies” – Townhouse West Gallery

Ard El Lewa #4 6ftx5ft aprprox. Mixed Media 2015

Ard El Lewa #4 detail

Ard El Lewa #9 5ftx5ft approx. Mixed Media 2015

Ard El Lewa #9 detail

Ard El Lewa #5 7ftx4ft approx. Mixed Media 2015

Ard El ewa #5 detail

Ard El Lewa #21 5ft x 3ft approx. 2016 – Institute for Contemporary Art, VCU – 2021 – Photography by David Hale

Installation Shot – Institute for Contemporary Art, VCU – 2021 – Photography by David Hale