Hamdan Saray was born in Baghdad in 1975, during a period when war and its representations shaped the lives of his generation. From childhood, he was exposed to relentless images of conflict, broadcast on Iraqi television without restraint. These violent visuals, part of the regime’s war propaganda, created an atmosphere of anxiety and were imposed on the population as a collective memory they were obliged to preserve. This left him entangled in a paradoxical world where intimacy, violence, and propaganda were inextricably linked.
As he grew older, the confusion deepened. He was further influenced by images from American drones, which blurred the lines between reality and fiction. The pixelated, black-and-white footage, often resembling video games more than real-life events, manipulated his perceptions. These images, though documenting devastating realities, sometimes captivated him more with their technology than with the destruction they depicted. The challenge of discerning personal memory from manipulated reality became a central theme in his artistic exploration.
Through his paintings, Hamdan Saray attempts to reconnect with these fragmented memories and find coherence between collective and individual experiences. By reproducing and reinterpreting these images, he invites viewers to question the impact of media and technology on our understanding of the world. His work aims to shed light on the unsettling realities hidden behind these seemingly fictional portrayals, urging a deeper reflection on how perceptions are shaped and distorted by the images consumed.
Opening: 19 September 19:00 till 22:00
Vinissage: 27 October 14:00 till 17:00
Open Every Friday Saturday Sunday 13:00-17:00 or by appointment.
Artificial Waves
Oil on canvas 120 x 100 cm 2024