Invisible Sun

Overview

Julie Mehretu is best known for her large-scale paintings that layer geographical schema, maps and architectural representations of the city – the compressed and densely populated urban environments of the twenty-first century as well as cities with histories of erasure. A previous series, ‘Mogamma’ (2012), used distinct architectural motifs as a metaphor for the unfolding socioeconomic and political events of the Arab Spring.

Mehretu’s new body of work offers a more contemplative and pared-down response in the aftermath of that moment as she probes deeper into the visual language of abstraction. In her ‘Invisible Sun’ series (2014–15), sharp geometric lines and the information overload of previous works gives way to a looser system of articulation and mark making. Softened brushstrokes, smudges, graffiti and scripting recalling ancient cave incisings combine with her signature use of layers to flow over the canvas’s edge. The sense of reflection, personal agency and struggle in these works is punctuated by moments of sanctuary and release – a space of emergent potentiality. Mehretu views the mark as a conduit and catalyst for change, with the moment of pause – the resistance to participate – being a revolutionary act in itself.

This project was part of Sharjah Biennial 12