Twelve months ago, Hamdan Buti Al Shamsi embarked on a journey of research and reflection on Tashkeel’s Critical Practice Programme 2020. Mentored by artist and curator Hind bin Demaithan Al Qemzi, his research focused on self-representation through a variety of visual mediums that are part of his illustrious practice. The culmination is ‘Kn_bkhair’, a deeply personal exploration of the notions of self and identity, which will be open to the public to view at Tashkeel from 16 March.

The exhibition is part of the Tashkeel’s 2021 Spring Season and is the gallery’s highlight show for Dubai Art Week in March/April. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue and a programme of tours and workshops.

This is Hamdan’s first solo exhibition and the second public outcome from the 2020 cohort of Tashkeel’s Critical Practice Programme. Applying the day-to-day tools used in his practice, the self-taught Emirati multidisciplinary artist and writer turns the focus on himself with prints, handwritten poetry, video and an installation that analyse the three associated states of the self being – identity, individualism and subconsciousness.

‘Kn_bkhair’ will run at the gallery in Tashkeel Nad Al Sheba 1, Dubai from 16 March to 24 April 2020.

Courtesy of Tashkeel