Galerie Peter Sillem is a gallery founded in 2017 and is based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The gallery focuses on international contemporary photography celebrating both young and established artists. This exhibition celebrates the work of multi-media artist Alia Ali. Alia Ali draws the viewer's attention to the textile featured in her photography in which politics, economics and histories inspired. Alia Ali is a Yemeni-Bosnian-American multi media artist. Alia is a graduate of the United World College of the Atlantic and Wellesley College with BA in Studio Art and Middle Eastern Studies.
Alia Ali has travelled to sixty-three countries, lived in seven and grown up among five languages which has helped Alia Ali inform her work as her extensive travels have helped her to see the world through visuals as her most comfortable form of communication rather then language which 'presents more of a threat than a means of understanding' ( www.galerie-peter-sillem.com ). Alia's work reflects on the politics surrounding the topics of identity, physical borders aswell as mental and physical spaces of confinement etc: as seen in the 'Flux' exhibition. The theme of portraiture photography in which the faces and people are covered presents Alia's interests from people, culture and the processes which unite and divide us.
The overall set of the exhibition is effective in complimenting the work of Alia Ali as the colours of the walls is seen in the colour palette of the work. Patterns linking to this collection are also featured on the walls tying the exhibition together as a whole. The frames seen above again compliment the photography due the use of the same gingham pattern and a red and royal blue hue palette. For the photography featuring a black background black frames are also used which creates a seamless transition between the photograph and the frame. A white wall is used here which allows the frames to stand out. The white walls create a bright and spacious atmosphere which ables people to feel calm and comfortable throughout to enjoy the work without distractions. The monochromatic colour theme seen with the black frames and white walls is modern and sophisticated emphasising the current importance of Alia Ali's message focusing on celebrating cultures and uniting people from all different cultural backgrounds to live together in harmony. The use of wax print fabric - traditionally used in Africa - places African identity in the forefront. The focal point of the fabric here evokes the everyday and it's importance to everyday dress and identity. However for Alia Ali the fabric acts as 'poetic signifiers' ( lensculture.com ) positing migration, ownership, and who has voice.
Portraiture photography is significant to emphasise the themes of identity throughout the Flux collections. The use of cultural patterns inferring the African culture is significant to Alia Ali's heritage and portrays the personal side of her work.
I would like to experiment with dressing models in sheets of fabric as it clearly represents the silhouette of a body while completely sealing any form of individuality and human form. This is significant as it represents that despite cultural backgrounds people are people. It emphasise Alia Ali's important message of equality because it is impossible to pass judgement without seeing anyones true identity for example underneath the fabric. It also represents that as humans we are defined by our cultures and heritage and that we should celebrate confidently rather than hide who we really are.
The central composition and straight on camera angle ensures a tidy finish. It also highlights the importance of the patterns used in the fabric. The darker blue hue fabric with a pink hue circular pattern leaves plenty of negative space which contrasts to the background fabric. The repetition of lines and circles creates a geometric pattern which again juxtaposes the soft circular pattern and relaxed curved lines in the blue fabric. The busier background allows it to still hold power in the composition as the model silhouette holds the highest level of hierarchy within the composition. Creating a simple geometric pattern is something that i would like to experiment with also.
The straight on lighting ensures no strong shadows dull the bright palette in the patterns. A minimal colour palette is used of blue hues and warmer pink and yellow hues which is important as the colours don't distract from the patterns yet work together. However the darker shade on the model represents the simplicity of visuals as a form of communication rather than language due to language barriers which have personally effected Alia Ali shown by the busier patterns.
Over all i love Alia Ali photography and would like to experiment with this style further. In the past when i have developed magazine cover outcomes i have edited secondary images however in the future i could use a similar style of photography which allows messages to be clearly conveyed as they pieces are eye catching due to the shocking lack of human form within the portrait. This could show themes of pain and abuse aswell as the fabric could be presented as a suffocating threat. This is powerful as it links to the confusion of languages barriers and the divides they create amongst Society.
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