Hussein Tai (IQ)

Born 1966

“The way nature affects surfaces, walls, rocks, signs, stones etc. makes me feel ancient times og the age that has passed. It makes me look back and in memory (daydream) to recreate the enchanting drawings and abstract symbols og figures drawn on Sumerian seal and boards. It brings me back to earth colours and the magical fantasy world. All these compilations and oxidations on the surface of the picture is only an attempt to recreate the sum of all these experiences.”   

Hussein Tai

With these words Hussein Tai explains his paintings, this tells us about a near and thoughtful relationsship to his homecountry Iraq. But also of a new existence in Denmark with happiness and a thriving continuance of his artistic career which started in Iraq. These relationships has a strong importance for the paintings genesis, which is inspired by “tracks” from past times in both Iraq and Denmark. Based on studies in the art of graphics and engravings Hussein Tai explores engravings among The Mesopotamiens remains (sumerian, babylonian, assyrian). A simple sign in the cylindrical temples, parchments and clay tablets can store a immensely long history, and a large memory just like the old house walls in Iraq and Denmark does. It is a beautiful and exiting thought which ascribes that even the smallest track or the smallest bump in the wall is of importance, because it could have been applied in a short second in a persons life, a situation, a war or in a age.

With origins in this fascination for old tracks and signs as a shape Hussein Tai seeks the perspectives reduction to a surface of symbols, graphic effects and architectural abstractions. The textural surface and unfinished form as a instrument is achieved by the use of mixed media among others acrylic paint, cardboard and glue. The effect is an abstract, aesthetic form where the tracks from an ancient world is discerned among life-affirming colors and light.     

Lena Larsen, cand.mag. – Bredgade Kunsthandel

EDUCATION

2013-2015
Masters of Fine Art, University of Ireland

2006
Holbæk Art school, graphic work

1985-1992
Graduated from The College of Fine Arts, Baghdad

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

2020
“Wintershow” GALLERI V58, Aarhus, DK

2018
GALLERI V58, Aarhus, Denmark

2017
GALLERI V58, Aarhus, Denmark
GALLERI V58 pop up, Skagen, Denmark
NORTH kunstmesse, Aalborg, represented by GALLERI V58, Aarhus, Denmark

2016
Winter exhibition, GALLERI V58, Aarhus, Denmark
Gallery Elise Toft, Solo exhibition, Kolding, Denmark
Art Herning, Denmark

2015
Bredgade Kunsthandel, Solo exhibition, Copenhagen, Denmark
Art Herning, Denmark

2014
Holstebro Art union, Olivia Holm Møller museet, Solo exhibition, Denmark
Bredgade kunsthandel, Copenhagen, Denmark
Musée saint-roch d’issoudun, Issoudun, France
Art Herning, Denmark

2013
Galerie El, Solo exhibtion, Welle, Germany
Holstebro Art Museum, Holstebro, Denmark
Art Herning, Denmark

2012
Æglageret, Holbæk Art uniun, Solo exhibition, Denmark
Galleri Rasch, Solo exhibtion, Roenne, Denmark
Art Herning, Denmark

2011
Bredgade Kunsthandel, Solo exhibition, Copenhagen, Denmark
Art Herning, Denmark

2010
Art Herning, Denmark
Aya Gallery, Solo exhibtion, London, United Kingdom

2009
Gallery Elise Toft, Solo exhibition, Kolding, Denmark
Art Herning, Denmark

2008
Raschs Pakhus, Solo exhibition, Rønne, Denmark
Art Herning, Denmark

2007
Gallery Elise Toft, Solo exhibition, Kolding, Denmark
Bredgade Kunsthandel, Solo exhibition, Copenhagen, Denmark
Art Fair Kolding, Denmark
Art Herning, Denmark

2006
Gallery Elise Toft, Solo exhibition, Kolding, Denmark
Art Fair Kolding, Denmark
VK-udstillingen, Knapstrup, Kolding Kunstmesse, Denmark

2005
Kunstgalleriet, Solo exhibition, Slagelse, Denmark

2004
Bredgade Kunsthandel, Solo exhibition, Copenhagen, Denmark
Art Copenhagen, Denmark

2003
Kunstgalleriet, Solo exhibition, Slagelse, Denmark

2002
Dar Al Anda Gallery, Jordan

2000
Hammurabi Arts Gallery, Solo exhibition, Amman, Jordan
Alef Ba’a Gallery, Tripoli, Libya

1999
Chiyem Gallery, Solo exhibition, Tunis
Art House, Solo exhibition, Tripoli, Libya

1997
Hiwar Gallery, Baghdad, Iraq

1996
Modern Graphic Arts Exhibition, Baghdad, Iraq

1995
Annana Gallery, Solo exhibition, Baghdad, Iraq
Spring Exhibitions, Baghdad, Iraq

1994
Spring Exhibitions, Baghdad, Iraq

1993
Spring Exhibitions, Baghdad, Iraq

1988
The College of Fine arts, Graphic Exhibition, Baghdad, Iraq

GRANT

2013
Æglageret, Holbæk, Denmark

2007
Erik Hoffmeyer’s prize (The Danish National Bank)

MEMBERSHIPS
BKF, The Danish Association of Visual Artist
Danske grafikere (The Danish Printmakers Association)
Society of Iraqi Plastic Artists
VAK, Denmark

BIBLIOGRAPHY
In the Head  of Someone, 2016
Black Boots, (Private Collection, Galerie Lemand, Paris), 2015
The Red Bird Diaries, 12 pages (Private Collection, London), 2013
Requiem II, 11 pages (Private Collection, Galerie Lemand, Paris) 2013
Mersken; The Marsh, 11 pages (Private Collection, London) 2010

REPRESENTED BY
The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts
The Ministry of Culture, Jordan
Museum of Modern Arts, Baghdad, Iraq
Museum of Modern Art, Tripoli, Libya
Central Library of Tripoli, Libya
Danske Bank, Denmark
Municipality of Herning, Denmark
Municipality of Slagelse, Denmark

‘Baghdad´s Fish marked’, akryl på lærred, 150 x 150, 2023, SOLGT

‘Hunting party lll’, akryl på lærred, 120 x 150, 2023, d.kr. 30.000,

‘Scene lll’, akryl på lærred, 97 x 130, 2023, d.kr. 22.000,

‘The hunting party ll’, akryl på lærred, 150 x 150, 2023, d.kr. 39.000,

‘The hunting party’, akryl på lærred, 160 x 160, 2023, d.kr. 44.000,

‘To be there lll’, akryl på lærred, 100 x 120, 2023, d.kr. 21.000,

‘To be there lll’, akryl på lærred, 100 x 120, 2023, d.kr. 21.000,

‘Misperception l’, akryl på lærred, 120 x 150, 2022, SOLGT

‘Misperception ll’, akryl på lærred, 120 x 150, 2022, d.kr. 30.000,-

‘Misperception lll’, akryl på lærred, 120 x 150, 2022, SOLGT

‘Uden titel’, akryl på lærred, 200 x 200, 2022, SOLGT

‘Komposition’, mixed medie på papir, 81 x 54 (67 x 41), 2021, d.kr. 4.500,-

‘Komposition’, mixed medie på papir, 53 x 43 (39 x 29), 2021, SOLGT

‘Komposition’, mixed medie på papir, 53 x 43 (39 x 29), 2020, d.kr. 3.500,-

‘Komposition’, mixed medie på papir, 53 x 43 (39 x 29), 2021, d.kr. 3.500,-

‘The Journey lV’, 100 x 120, akryl på lærred, d.kr. 21.000,-

‘The Journey lll’, 100 x 100, akryl på lærred, 2021, kr. 17.500,-

‘The Journey ll’, 50 x 150, akryl på lærred, 2021, d.kr 14.000,-

‘Into the City’, 100 x 100, akryl på lærred, 2018-2021, SOLGT

‘Komposition’, Mixed medie på papir i ramme, 64 x 46 (51 x 37), 2018, SOLGT

‘Fuglerede ll’, Mixed medie på papir i ramme, 71 x 52 (52 x 44), 2018, SOLGT

‘Arabic Wedding lll’, akryl på lærred, 100 x 100, 2016, SOLGT

‘Arabisk bryllup lll’, Akryl på lærred, 100 x 100, 2018, d.kr 17.500,-