Mohammed Kazem: Four Decades of Pioneering Emirati Art and a Legacy of Experimentation

Hailstones once punched holes through an awning, creating patterns of light that a young Mohammed Kazem perceived as expressive faces. This profound observation, occurring in the winter of 1996 at the home of his mentor, the late artist Hassan Sharif, marked a pivotal moment. Sharif encouraged Kazem to photograph these light-and-shadow formations, which he did, resulting in the series 'Faces to Face,' later exhibited at the Sharjah Art Museum in 1998. Kazem is recognized as a foundational figure in the UAE's contemporary art scene.

Initially, Kazem was preparing for a portrait exhibition and lacked ready work. The damage to the awning, caused by hail and rain, sparked the idea for 'Faces to Face.' He utilized Sharif's camera to capture close-up images that resembled portraits. This significant series is now being presented at the inaugural Frieze Abu Dhabi, within the 'In Dialogue' section, curated by Dirwaza Curatorial Lab. The exhibition features a conversation between Kazem's older and newer works and those of multidisciplinary artist and curator Alia Zaal, representing a dialogue between two generations of Emirati artists. This presentation builds upon earlier joint exhibitions at Gallery Isabelle.

As a former protégé of Hassan Sharif, Mohammed Kazem has cultivated an experimental artistic practice that has garnered international acclaim. At Frieze Abu Dhabi, Zaal's large-scale paintings of mangrove leaves and palms are displayed alongside Kazem's 1990s landscape pieces, characterized by thick watercolor and early explorations of scratch marks on paper. Many of these works were created on-site, inspired by locations like the Hatta desert greenery or the plant life near Qusais sewers. Kazem views these early works as crucial for developing his artistic vision, learning to translate three-dimensional reality into two-dimensional forms, mastering perspective, and understanding light and shadow.

'Faces to Face' emerged from a seminal period in Kazem's career, echoing an intergenerational dynamic where he was the junior artist. His broader work delves into themes of memory, identity, geography, and the human connection to surroundings. In the 1990s, Kazem began diverging from traditional art forms, producing experimental works like the 'Tongue' series, where he licked everyday objects, offering a commentary on consumerism. He also initiated the 'Photographs with Flags' series, capturing urban development in Dubai and Sharjah by standing near flagpoles. Works from this series were featured in the 2003 Sharjah Biennial.

Kazem credits Sharif with fostering his experimental phase, consistently encouraging and challenging his ideas. He met Sharif, who passed away in 2016, in the early 1980s when Kazem was 14. Sharif, having studied at the Byam Shaw School of Art in London, became Kazem's primary artistic educator. A school trip to the Emirates Fine Art Society, co-founded by Sharif, led to Kazem's first lesson with him. Sharif provided materials and books on artists like Cézanne and Picasso, significantly shaping Kazem's understanding of art history. These resources were scarce in the UAE at the time.

Sharif also guided Kazem in building art archives, a practice he had learned abroad and which was integral to documenting performances through photography. By his late teens, Kazem had a substantial portfolio, including studies of Van Gogh and Cézanne. Sharif facilitated Kazem's first solo exhibition in 1987 at the Emirates Fine Arts Society, offering encouragement despite low attendance. Sharif was ahead of his time, exploring performance art and installations when the region primarily focused on abstract painting and sculpture. Kazem fondly remembers his experimental years with Sharif, highlighting his mentor's crucial support in developing a new generation of Emirati artists. Sharif transformed his Ministry of Youth and Sports office into a studio, fostering an environment for artistic experimentation beyond traditional mediums.

Kazem's 1986 painting 'Studio,' depicting his workspace in Sharif's office, was featured in the Khaleej Modern exhibition at NYU Abu Dhabi's Art Gallery in 2022. As a pioneer of conceptual art in the UAE, Kazem continues to innovate. Over four decades since his first lesson with Sharif and 30 years since the 'Faces to Face' inspiration, Kazem's practice has evolved through paintings, drawings, and sculptures. His 'Scratches on Paper' series involves precise notches creating textured surfaces, while 'Directions' utilizes GPS coordinates as an artistic medium, manifesting in various forms including a large installation at Expo City Dubai. The 'Directions' series is rooted in personal experiences of disorientation at sea, later resolved with GPS navigation.

Kazem's work continues to embody Sharif's experimental spirit. His art is held in international collections like the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Kadist Art Foundation, as well as regional ones such as the Barjeel Art Foundation. He has exhibited globally, including at the Venice Biennale in 2013. Sharif's influence remains profound, with Kazem often crediting him for his early education and career development. Sharif's dedication to nurturing Emirati artists, even at personal sacrifice, laid the groundwork for the UAE's contemporary art scene. His legacy, along with that of artists like Abdullah Al Saadi, Ebtisam Abdulaziz, Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim, and Hussain Sharif, has been instrumental in fostering the country's artistic awareness and supporting institutions like the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. The exhibition at Frieze Abu Dhabi showcases this legacy and Kazem's ongoing influence on emerging talents, carrying forward the spirit of experimentation inherited from his mentor.