Image courtesy of the artist
Ishara Art Foundation presents ‘Fragility and Resilience,’ Ayesha Sultana’s first comprehensive solo exhibition in the GCC delves into the intricate interplay between vulnerability and strength in the 21st century. Sultana challenges traditional binaries by suggesting that fragility can embody strength, particularly in today’s world, where social, ecological, and personal upheavals constantly test sustainability. Supported by Barclays, Carl F. Bucherer, and Experimenter, ‘Fragility and Resilience,’ on view from 6th September – 7th December 2024, is accompanied by public programs designed to deepen visitor engagement with the exhibition’s themes.
This exhibition features a wide array of Sultana’s works, including her debut hand-blown glass sculptures, as well as newly created oil paintings, watercolours on Japanese silk tissue, pieces on clay-coated paper, and her past photographic works. Visitors can also explore her past photographic works, as well as her sketchbooks, diaries, in-progress artworks, and an unfinished video, providing an intimate look into her creative process.
The exhibition is divided into three sections, each offering a transition into the next, allowing viewers to engage deeply with the thematic nuances of Sultana’s work. Upon entering, visitors encounter Sultana’s glass sculptures, which embody the duality of fragility and resilience. These organic forms, created by the breath of glassblowers, reflect the delicate balance between brittleness and strength.
Surrounding the sculptures are pieces from Sultana’s ‘Breath Count’ series, where marks on clay-coated paper trace her breathing patterns, echoing the shared human experience during the pandemic. The exhibition also includes works from her ‘Threshold’ series, which explores themes of memory and erasure through photographs taken by her father and herself.
The next section presents works on tissue paper, evoking themes of frailty and fluidity, yet showcasing the quiet strength inherent in the body and ecosystem. In the final section, visitors can explore Sultana’s sketchbooks, diaries, in-progress artworks and an unfinished video, providing an intimate look into her creative process.
About Ayesha Sultana
Ayesha Sultana, both in 1984 in Jashore, Bangladesh, is a multidisciplinary artist based in Lilburn, Georgia, USA. Her practice encompasses drawing, painting, and sculpture, exploring the material and conceptual aspects of form. Sultana earned her BFA in 2007 and a postgraduate diploma in Art Education in 2008 from Beaconhouse National University, Lahore, where she also taught. A member of Britto Arts Trust in Dhaka, she has exhibited globally, including at Dhaka Art Summit, SFMOMA, and the Gwangju Biennale. Her work is held in prestigious collections such as Tate Modern, Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, and SFMOMA.
Location: Ishara Art Foundation, Dubai, UAE
Dates: 6th September – 7th December 2024
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