My work concentrates on the architecture, simple yet rich. Describing peaceful landscapes of deteriorating wonders. Creating an ephemeral world where past and present merge and fade into each other. My concerns are with identity, belonging, memory and questions the notion of home. This while juxtaposing of the solid and the organic, the planned and the accidental thus, presenting the unexpected. Not only is the effect juxtaposed with the architecture but also with the passing of time. In other words, the viewer feels transported or present in a different era.
Using cameras such as the Holga- one that makes use of 120 mm film is necessary due to the link between the technique used to illustrate the content. The image quality is supporting the subject matter in terms of its rough and sketch-like resolution, which coincides with the reality of the country, the audience therefore is offered an outlook on Aleppo, one of the oldest cities in the world. Portraying many ruins of the country, architecture dating back to the Ottoman empire and while commenting on their effect on the lives of the people in the area.
Balancing both heritage and technological awareness is challenging. The duality makes up my personality which is bound to present itself in my art making.
About the artist
Souleima Basha immigrated to Canada in 1992 from Syria. Majored in print media at Concordia University. She took part in several group exhibitions in Canada as well as in the United States; such as the 1st and 2nd Biennial Footprint International Print Exhibition in the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk, in which she was awarded the 3rd jurors prize. She also participated in several group exhibitions such and print exchanges.
Several of her works are included in such collections as the National Library of Montréal, and Atelier Graff, where she had a residency, as well as private collections across Canada and abroad.
Souleima lives in Montréal where she continues to make work on art.
OPENING RECEPTION: Saturday, April 30, 2011 - 3 to 6 p.m.
