Ever in Reform | في تحول مستمر
Mayar Obeido | Solo Exhibition
19 April – 24 May 2025
Fann À Porter is proud to present our second solo exhibition with Syrian artist Mayar Obeido, showcasing new mixed media works, charcoal and ink studies. This body of work plays with the idea of an infinite process of reformation and repetition, expanding on the artist’s depictions of his characters, to arrive at reimagined versions of these motifs. Ever in Reform is the outcome of the artist’s ongoing research into the effects of time on elements, and how elements influence each other’s form.
At the forefront of the exhibition is the reconfigured table, presented as an independent element for the first time in his practice, with an accompanying series of black ink and colored paper studies. Through his intuitive process, Obeido found that the table progressively transformed like a frame-by-frame animated sequence, constantly shapeshifting. In some studies, the table legs take the form of his characters' hands; in others, the table asserts itself as a distinct entity.
At this stage, the information within the newspaper cuttings has been absorbed by the characters, enabling a shift toward new, colored spaces. Therefore, newspapers are less prominent in this series, though their presence is subtly suggested through colored collage paper, reflecting the artist’s thoughtful approach to continuity in his practice. The resulting geometric background grid introduces an architectural dimension, allowing him to distinguish between the flat grid and the three-dimensional element. Multiple viewing points create an illusion of movement that is a visual manifestation of his concept of infinite reformation. This contrast has led to the emergence of a triangular shape, which takes on a striking presence that is both figurative and abstract.
Black charcoal remains the dominant medium throughout, its malleable nature allowing Obeido to erase and rebuild lines and shapes freely, fostering an organic and automatic mode of expression. As a concept and in practice, repetition plays a key role, as he lets his subconscious take over, often depicting characters that serve as self-portraits. Obeido poses the question: What is a shape capable of? His process aims to capture and record every state of an element in a never-ending exploration of reform.
While his previous work was embedded with themes of time, context, and the mutual influence of elements, this series introduces a focus towards place, location, and grounding. The artist navigates a state of shifting environments and fragmentation, where borders and limits are suddenly flexible, reflecting the inherent tension between stability and transformation.
Founder of Fann À Porter, Ghada Kunash, says:
“I look forward presenting Obeido’s second show solo exhibition with us, it has been beautiful to see his practice evolve and introduce new elements. These artworks have an expressive, cathartic quality to them that speaks to the emotions many of us are experiencing currently.”
Fann À Porter is approaching its tenth anniversary at Villa 45, Jumeirah 2. Over the years, Kunash has drawn from her background in architecture to shape a versatile gallery space with moveable walls. For this exhibition, she invited Obeido to take over the secondary space to showcase larger canvas works, covering the ground with sand, in a nod to the exhibition theme of a limitless process of reform. Kunash’s open approach to gallery programming underscores Fann À Porter’s commitment to supporting dynamic and innovative artistic expression.
For press inquiries, images, or other information, contact Zoya Zalatimo:
zoya@fannaporter.com
