Tony Khawam Gallery Presents “Spiritual Vessels” at Red Dot Art Miami, FL – 12/6-10, 2017 and at Bailey Contemporary Arts Gallery, Pompano Beach (Ft Lauderdale, FL 12/1, 2017 to 1/5, 2018.
Featuring Artist Tony Khawam’s Vision of Syria’s War-torn Cities, Urban Landscapes Paintings & Jeff Whyman’s Intergalactic Vessel Sculptures.
Tony Khawam Gallery ( Tony Khawam Art ) announces its participation in Art Basel Miami Week, Red Dot Miami, Booth #R624 and presents “Spiritual Vessels” features the paintings of Tony Khawam and the ceramic sculptures of Jeff Whyman. Khawam’s new collection, Aleppo Urban Landscapes, presents a semi-abstract vision of Syria’s war-torn cities and Whyman’s “Intergalactic Vessels” that shares a spiritual connection. Red Dot Miami exhibitions are curated gallery-only of contemporary art, now in its 12th year, this year titled [IMPACT] as the curatorial theme for 2017. Art not only reflects society but also influences it.
Khawam stopped painting in 2001 after the events of 9/11, but picked up his brush again in 2015 influenced by the Syrian crisis. “My primary focus is of my birthplace–the city of Aleppo with urban scenes of collapsed apartment floors, fallen balconies, curved rooftops and punched holes in the building facades. My aim is not to focus on the politics of the conflict but to raise awareness to the tragedy” explained Khawam, whose family immigrated to the US in 1976 and became a naturalized citizen five years later.
“Viewers at first glance see and experience both the sadness of the scene and at the same time a hopeful feeling” explained Juliana Morello, the curator of BaileyArts.org (BaCA) in Pompano Beach (Fort Lauderdale), where the two artists also showcasing there works during Art Miami Week. In conjunction with BaCA and Red Dot Miami exhibitions, a catalogue 50 pages is available for sale at the exhibitions and on the website.
Khawam’s paintings Reddotmiami.com/tony-khawam and Whyman’s sculptures Reddotmiami.com/jeff-whyman are perfect collaboration on this unique exhibition that draws viewer’s attention to the heritage of both artists transforming ancient skills into contemporary art in a methodology of presenting their works with a similar expressive approach. The first artist with acrylic paint and the later with ceramics, both artists have similar inclination on introducing contemporary works to the art world.
“The theme of this year exhibition will astonish viewers, curators and art collectors by his sensitivity to the subject matter with an expressionist style and the manipulation of paint to create a unique way of expressing the idea that our visions of war are structured through our own varying positions.” Explained Mel Lehman the director of CommonHumanity.org, a non-profit organization based in NYC.
Khawam met Whyman during the latter’s solo exhibition at Rosenbaum Gallery in Boca Raton and felt an instant affinity for his work. “Jeff’s work reminds me of the ancient clay pottery and sculptures I grew up seeing in the national museums of Aleppo and Damascus.” said Khawam.
RECEPTION: Wed, Dec 6, 6pm – 10pm – FREE with Gallery VIP invitation
VENUE: Red Dot Miami, 1700 NE 2nd Ave. (NE 17th Street) Miami, FL 33132
Tony Khawam Art 