Imran Qureshi: Where the Shadows are so Deep
at The Curve, Barbican
On Now
Until 10th July 2016
It’s all about light and dark in Imran Qureshi’s new work at The Curve in London’s Barbican Centre. This site-specific commission by the Lahore-based artist is the latest in a series of commissions designed for The Curve space, a 90-metre-long curved gallery (yes, the clue is in the name) which wraps around the back of the Barbican’s Concert Hall.
Imran Qureshi has created an impressively beautiful collection of works for Where the Shadows are so Deep, his first major London commission. The work is made up of 35 small jewel-like miniature paintings each of which is picked out in bright light against the backdrop of a very dark gallery space. These small-scale paintings recall 17th century Mughal painting and whilst they start out depicting a rather charmingly benign natural world, they become increasingly more dark and threatening as you pass through the long gallery space.
Along with the framed miniatures, Qureshi has heightened the sense of menace with what, at first glance, appears to be blood splattered on the walls and pooling on the floor. But again playing with our expectations, these blood red areas prove to be delicate crimson flower petals painted directly onto the walls and floor.
A great show that makes intelligent use of the unusual space and architecture of The Curve and keeps you wondering what lies ahead of you around the bend.
The exhibition is on until 10th July 2016.
Photographs ©The London Art File
Admission: FREE
Opening hours:
Saturday – Wednesday 11am – 8pm
Thursday & Friday 11am – 9pm
Bank Holidays 12noon – 8pm
The Curve
Barbican Centre
London EC2
www.barbican.org.uk/artgallery
The London Art File 