HILAL SAMI HILAL: PLACE OF PASSAGE

From November 5th, Galeria Marilia Razuk presents the exhibition “Lugar de Passagem (Place of Passage), with new works by Hilal Sami Hilal, made in oxidized copper and handmade cotton fiber paper with metallic powder pigment, all executed in 2022. In the show, that occupy the two rooms of the Gallery, the artist intends to create a dialogue and a tension between these two very different materials: the ethereal, the delicacy and the fragility of copper with the raw and solid material of concrete.

Research into copper corrosion through acids and salts, from which, in addition to shapes and textures, different shades emerge, began at the beginning of the artist's career, who turns 70 this year, when he became involved with the processes of Metal engraving. In parallel, his research also unfolded in concrete and paper. His poetics present the intersection of modern western tradition and ancient Islamic art, making very clear in these two series, the idea of ​​border with engraving and with multiples.

The artist from Espírito Santo state, a descendant of Syrian immigrants, works with the issue of tension through the clash between materials, without failing to present the lightness characteristic of his works, rescued from the meticulous and patient work, from repetitions lost in daydreams without the anxious threat of the time. In his work, the void is also construction. Emptiness that comes from the absence, loss and lack of a place.

In room 1 of the gallery, the Monotypes series will be presented, with approximately 8 works on oxidized copper paper, measuring 160 x 140 cm each, sometimes shown in isolation, sometimes shown in diptychs or polyptychs. In room 2 will be the series “Molduras”, which will show about 3 pieces in copper, measuring 210 x 160 cm each. This series will be presented in a more playful way. Taking advantage of the freedom of the line, exploring both the verticality and the horizontality of space.

About the Artist

HILAL SAMI HILAL (1952, Vitória, ES) began in the 1970s in drawing and watercolor and later decided to delve into Japanese techniques for making paper. His “lace”, first made with exclusive material, created with cellulose taken from cotton rags and mixed with pigments, resin and iron and aluminum powder, and later in copper, placed a short distance from the wall, benefits from the drop shadows, creating a virtual tracery. The artist is in the collections of the Pinacoteca de São Paulo and Museu de Arte do Rio – MAR; he was at the Panorama da Arte Brasileira, MAM / SP, in 1998. In 2007/2008 a large monographic exhibition was exhibited at the Vale Museum, Vitória, Espírito Santo, curated by Paulo Herkenhoff. In 2010 he presented the solo show Atlas, at the Lasar Segall Museum, in São Paulo.