SAVAC presents Afshin Matalbi's 'Conflict'
In the Fall of 2001, Canada joined the War on Terror, as part of a coalition of thirty-seven countries under the United Nations’ mandate to change the fundamentalist regime of the Taliban. Afghanistan became the site of a conflict where the West set out to impose its ideological supremacy and democratic way of life.Conflict captures the strife of war as depicted by Afshin Matlabi, a Montréal-based visual artist who works in print media and drawing.It is part of a developing initiative to support the presentation of new work by an artist from SAVAC’s membership.
SAVAC proudly presents an exhibition of Afshin Matlabi's work Conflict on November 12, 2011 from 5pm at The Lounge in Downtown Toronto. The Exhibition runs from November 12 - 28, 2011.
War brings devastation.... The exhibition captures the effects of war in the last ten years in Afghanistan alone. The Canadian forces have seen many deaths and hundreds have been wounded.Meanwhile many Afghani deaths are civilian casualities. Islam, Fundamentalism, Taliban, Al Quaeda, IED, Hearts and Minds are just some of the buzzwords that have entered the lexicon of day-to-day life...
Conflict relies on traditional war etchings and symbolic gestures, bringing to the forefront the poetics of war. Dark lines create an intimacy, while distancing a sense of life and death, or belief and struggle. Conflict is an homage to the mixed sentiments of patriotism and hope. It is a tribute to the fallen.
SAVAC is honoured to present the work of long-standing member, Afshin Matlabi. SAVAC recognizes that there is enormous talent amongst its members and this collaboration is part of an ongoing commitment to nurture and support the production of new work by member artists.
'Conflict is a body of work exploring the uncanny and painful effects of this war, of this clash of cultures. As the conflict drags on, there is no ultimate victory. The media loses interest, and bored it moves on, people move on. The Afghan war becomes a conflict fought in an imaginary far away land' , says Afshin Matlabi. He is a Montréal-based gifted visual artist, born in Tehran, Iran. Afshin works in print media and drawing and is a permanent teacher in the Visual Arts department at Vanier College in Montréal.
What: Opening reception and discussion with artist Afshin Matlabi
When: November 12, 2011 ( exhibition runs until November 28, 2011)
Time: 5pm onwards
Where: The Lounge, Downtown Toronto
SAVAC (South Asian Visual Arts Centre) has been dedicated to the presentation and promotion of contemporary visual art by South Asian artists since 1983. It presents innovative programming, which critically explores issues and ideas shaping South Asian identities and experiences. SAVAC collaborates with various organizations locally, nationally and internationally..
Click HERE for further information on this amazing exhibition.
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