Written by Clélia Laura
There is a growing interest in the local art scene, so it felt like a breeze of fresh air to discover the captivating work of three artists exposed in the heart of the city. Founded in 2015, Den Gallery is co-owned by several local artists including Hussain Dexen, Abdullah Dexen and Faissal Najaf. The three men were showcasing their work during an opening night on March 6th, and the ambiance within the gallery was matching the display’s quality. An intimate venue with a digital floral visual where the crowd was walking through the art, socialising, and discussing the pieces, while casually sipping on some cold brew.
“Each of us, artists, have a glyph through which we express our feelings and artistic experience”
A.Dexen
Abdullah Dexen:
We delve into the world of calligraphy as expressed by the talented Abduallah Dexen who finds inspiration mostly in fashion and architecture. Born and raised in Kuwait, Abdullah is a self-taught artist whose approach is rooted in the notion that letters do not solely constitute words. His artistic expression reveals the immense power and emotional intensity that letters possess when artistically portrayed. As for this exhibition, he decided to experiment with new tones of colours to keep the audience engaged and show artistic development. The strategic use of space in each composition creates a mesmerising balance, allowing the Arabic script to come to life with a powerful presence.
On some pieces, we can almost picture the font gracefully dancing like a flame, or perhaps cascading down like raindrops, each stroke pouring with fluidity and rhythm. Dexen’s work captivate with hypnotizing visuals, allowing viewers to explore their own interpretation. He successfully captured the cultural essence with a contemporary intake, thanks to his unique representation of Arabic calligraphy.
Hussain Dexen
Hussain’s eloquently explored the theme of women’s resilience and strength by incorporating elements of surrealism. His artwork conveys genuine emotions, drawing us into a realm where reality and imagination intertwine.
The painter employed soft and flowing mark-making to create a delicate nuance with the solid-coloured background which added depth to a visual impact. The result was a truly profound and thought-provoking showcase, a testament of the artist’s talent and the enduring spirit of women.
Faisal Najaf:
Born and raised in Kuwait, Faissal, has always been drawn to colourful art, and thanks to his family’s support, we can enjoy his own depiction of it nowadays. His work is abundant, rich in textures, shapes, but also cultural clues. Faisal explains that, for the Glyph exhibition, his focus was to explore different techniques to create a contrast between smooth and rough surfaces.
For instance, the flowers at the heart of his work are purposely represented roughly for the light to sit and create a realistic shadow. His skilful technique reminds us of the importance and beauty of nature that inspires him. He creates a sense of depth and perspective that draws us into his captivating landscape. Each piece tells a story, mixing traditional Kuwaiti elements with a modern twist.
“by depicting the ships, I create a bond between myself and the viewer “F.Najaf
His experimental approach to framing, pushes the boundaries of traditional composition and invites us to see the familiar in a fresh and exciting way.
"There is a story behind each painting" F. Najaf
Through their unique perspective, the exhibiting artists blend elements of reality and subconscious, offering a glimpse into the artistic representation of their own emotions. The cultural influence they bring into their paintings adds another layer of richness and diversity, exploring themes, symbols and narratives that resonate with different cultures. It’s a fascinating journey into the boundless creativity of the artists and their ability to transcend the conventional boundaries of art.
Den Gallery provides a platform for local artists to share their unique perspectives, stories and passion but also enables interactions with the international artistic scene.
All three men expressed the desire for local artists to be further highlighted, as there is a growing interest and talent that needs to be showcased as part of the culture. More educational events and lectures could allow artists to keep up with the global artistic development, but also initiate artistic validation to younger generations.
