Monira Al Qadiri's "USURPER" Exhibition at König Galerie Berlin
Oil, war, and memory.
Step into the transformative world of Monira Al Qadiri's "USURPER" at KÖNIG GALERIE, running from January 19 to March 2, 2024. Fizzy Mag was at the opening exhibition, catching up with the artist about her captivating show.
Explore the NAVE at St. Agnes, now a monochromatic, (post-)apocalyptic space where Al Qadiri tackles the theft of vision, life, and the natural world—specifically, the impact of fossil fuels.
THE GUARDIAN
Encounter "THE GUARDIAN," a mesmerizing milky white plant, symbolizing the blindness caused by environmental destruction. Explore the haunting aftermath of the Gulf War through the sculptural installation "ONUS," depicting the devastating impact of burning oil wells.
ONUS
Al Qadiri's trauma-inspired works, like "ONUS," reveal the fragility of memory and the distortion it can undergo. Glass sculptures of birds covered in oil serve as a powerful reminder of the denial of truth, challenging viewers to reflect on their own memories.
As a Kuwaiti artist who lived through the Gulf War, Monira Al Qadiri infuses her personal experiences into her artworks. The exhibition explores the intersection of war, environmental catastrophe, and the artist's journey from her homeland to the global art stage.
MINER
Explore the largest 3D-printed sculpture, "MINER," as Al Qadiri transforms real drill heads into fantastical alien-like artifacts. With an iridescent quality, MINER symbolizes the historical shift from pearl diving, Kuwait's main industry, to the discovery of oil.
"USURPER" weaves together various stories, historical motifs, and political themes to create a timeless narrative. Al Qadiri invites viewers to contemplate power, violence, the depletion of natural resources, and the possibility of a future beyond the petroleum era.
Exclusive Fizzy Mag Interview:
Don't miss our exclusive video where we take you behind the scenes of the opening, interviewing Monira Al Qadiri about the inspirations and stories behind "USURPER." Check out the video above for a look at this extraordinary exhibition.
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