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Driss Ouadahi
Breach in the Silence, 16 July - 20 August 2016
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Driss Ouadahi: Breach in the Silence

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Overview
Driss Ouadahi, Breach in the Silence

Algerian painter Driss Ouadahi studied architecture before immigrating to Germany, where he continues to live and work.  Utilizing a vocabulary of architectural motifs, Ouadahi makes large-scale paintings that borrow from the history of modernist grid painting and traditional Islamic aesthetics, while tackling the difficult and timely topic of human migration.

 

Ouadahi asks us to consider the political and psychological aspects of boundaries and the relationship they have to ethnicity and social class, through representations of three types of architectural imagery:  cityscapes of glittering modernist high-rises, claustrophobic depictions of subway tunnels and photo-realistically rendered pictures of chain link fences.

 

Perhaps in response to his volunteer work—helping refugees from conflicts in the Middle East resettle in Germany—imagery of the cyclone fence dominates Ouadahi’s most recent paintings.  Fencing is a very real impediment to the movement of the millions of people currently fleeing war and violence or seeking a better life.   It’s used to shut them out, pen them in and divide “them” from “us.”  The fence is a dehumanizing symbol of “otherness”—a metaphor for alienation—as ugly a signifier as it is an object.

 

Ouadahi’s depictions of the fence are meticulous.  Delicately-rendered, woven-steel wire is drawn against the sky, simultaneously seductive and ominous.   The fences sometimes stretch taught across the picture plane as an unbroken barrier, but more often are slashed open like a gaping wound or have the regularity of their grids bent out-of-shape, evidence that someone has torn through or scrambled up and over.  These are images of struggle and irrepressibility…   a message to those who call for the building of walls and the closing of borders.

 

Driss Ouadahi was born in Morocco in 1959 to Algerian political exiles.   He studied architecture in Algiers, and painting at the Kunstakademie in Düsseldorf, where he continues to live.  He participated in the Cairo Biennial in 2010 and was included in The Future of a Promise: Contemporary Art from the Arab Worldduring the 2011 Venice Biennale.  He was awarded the grand prize at the Dakar Biennale in 2014.  His work has been exhibited internationally, including in Dubai, New York, North Africa and throughout Europe.  This is his fifth solo exhibition at Hosfelt Gallery.

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Works
  • Abstract cloudy lavender sky through black diamond wire fence A large hole had been torn in the fence towards the bottom right of the painting
    Driss Ouadahi
    Flying fence, 2016
    oil on canvas
    70 7/8 x 86 5/8 in
    180 x 220 cm
  • Pink and purple abstract landscape alludes to elevated railways with empty highway roads and green spaces underneath and multiple distant high rise building in the A grid of alternating thin and thick horizontal and vertical lines form the illusion of foreground scaffolding
    Driss Ouadahi
    Unterführung, 2016
    oil on canvas
    43 1/4 x 51 1/8 in
    109.9 x 129.9 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EDriss%20Ouadahi%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EUnterf%C3%BChrung%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2016%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E43%201/4%20x%2051%201/8%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A109.9%20x%20129.9%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Video of ​​Driss Ouadahi creating Oppressed Blessing The artist is dressed in all black with white chalk on his hands jumping to create handprints on large black canvas
    Driss Ouadahi
    Oppressed Blessing, 2016
    video
    2 minutes 27 seconds
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EDriss%20Ouadahi%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EOppressed%20Blessing%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2016%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Evideo%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E2%20minutes%2027%20seconds%3C/div%3E
  • Driss Ouadahi, The return, 2015
    Driss Ouadahi, The return, 2015
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    %3Cspan%20class%3D%22artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EDriss%20Ouadahi%3C/strong%3E%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title%22%3E%3Cem%3EThe%20return%3C/em%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E2015%3C/span%3E
  • Driss Ouadahi, Breach 1, 2016
    Driss Ouadahi, Breach 1, 2016
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    %3Cspan%20class%3D%22artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EDriss%20Ouadahi%3C/strong%3E%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title%22%3E%3Cem%3EBreach%201%3C/em%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E2016%3C/span%3E
  • Driss Ouadahi, Enlisée, 2015
    Driss Ouadahi, Enlisée, 2015
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    %3Cspan%20class%3D%22artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EDriss%20Ouadahi%3C/strong%3E%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title%22%3E%3Cem%3EEnlis%26%23233%3Be%3C/em%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E2015%3C/span%3E
  • Digital image of multiple framed artworks of white diamond wire fences and white chalk handprints on black paper hung on a large white wall
    Driss Ouadahi
    Oppressed Blessing (1), 2016
    chalk pastel and fixative on paper
    27 1/2 x 36 5/8 in
    69.8 x 93 cm
  • Dirty white and blue tiled hallway with dark floor ceiling and stairs
    Driss Ouadahi
    Random tiles, 2016
    oil on canvas
    70 7/8 x 86 5/8 in
    180 x 220 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EDriss%20Ouadahi%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ERandom%20tiles%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2016%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E70%207/8%20x%2086%205/8%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A180%20x%20220%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Dull yellow white and purple abstract landscape alludes to elevated highway with several trees underneath and faded high rise buildings in the background A grid of alternating thin and thick horizontal and vertical lines form the illusion of foreground scaffolding
    Driss Ouadahi
    Departure, 2015
    oil on canvas
    63 x 55 1/8 in
    160 x 140 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EDriss%20Ouadahi%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EDeparture%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2015%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E63%20x%2055%201/8%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A160%20x%20140%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Dim tiled hallway with a red and blue tile pattern along the walls White fluorescent lights shine from the ceiling illuminating parts of the hallways
    Driss Ouadahi
    Néon, 2016
    oil on canvas
    78 3/4 x 118 1/8 in
    200 x 300 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EDriss%20Ouadahi%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EN%C3%A9on%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2016%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E78%203/4%20x%20118%201/8%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A200%20x%20300%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Landscape of blue and purple sky after sundown through black diamond wire fence The fence has been broken towards the bottom left of the painting where the painting is lightest
    Driss Ouadahi
    Etoile filante, 2016
    oil on canvas
    78 3/4 x 70 7/8 in
    200 x 180 cm
  • Foggy abstract dawn landscape painting in dark blues and purples The landscape is seen through a black diamond wire fence that has a large hole near the bottom left of the painting
    Driss Ouadahi
    Aurora, 2016
    oil on canvas
    78 3/4 x 70 7/8 in
    200 x 180 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EDriss%20Ouadahi%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EAurora%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2016%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E78%203/4%20x%2070%207/8%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A200%20x%20180%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Foggy abstract sunset landscape with several glowing light sources in a diagonal which recess into depth across the sky The landscape is seen through a black diamond wire fence that has a large hole near the bottom right of the painting
    Driss Ouadahi
    Street light, 2016
    oil on canvas
    78 3/4 x 70 7/8 in
    200 x 180 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EDriss%20Ouadahi%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EStreet%20light%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2016%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E78%203/4%20x%2070%207/8%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A200%20x%20180%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • andscape painting of light blue tiled hallway with dirty gray metal ceiling
    Driss Ouadahi
    Cerulean tiles, 2016
    oil on canvas
    70 7/8 x 86 5/8 in
    180 x 220 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EDriss%20Ouadahi%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ECerulean%20tiles%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2016%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E70%207/8%20x%2086%205/8%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A180%20x%20220%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Dull abstract landscape alludes to two large white high rise buildings with blotches of dark green at the lower left and center right of the painting
    Driss Ouadahi
    Apparition, 2016
    oil on canvas
    43 1/4 x 51 1/8 in
    109.9 x 129.9 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EDriss%20Ouadahi%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EApparition%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2016%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eoil%20on%20canvas%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E43%201/4%20x%2051%201/8%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A109.9%20x%20129.9%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Driss Ouadahi, Gentle breeze, 2016
    Driss Ouadahi, Gentle breeze, 2016
    Inquire
    %3Cspan%20class%3D%22artist%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EDriss%20Ouadahi%3C/strong%3E%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title%22%3E%3Cem%3EGentle%20breeze%3C/em%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E2016%3C/span%3E
Installation Views
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Aouadahi2016 Copy
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Press
  • Driss Ouadahi, "Breach in the Silence," 2016, installation view

    Driss Ouadahi, ‘Breach in the Silence’ at Hosfelt Gallery

    Admin, SF Art Enthusiast, August 4, 2016
  • Driss Ouadahi, "Breach in the Silence," 2016, installation view

    Driss Ouadahi takes on fences in latest exhibit

    Jessica Zack, San Francisco Chronicle, July 13, 2016

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  • Driss Ouadahi

    Driss Ouadahi

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