(Me posing with Ika's art exhibition's introductory text and some of his artworks on Saturday at 350 Gallery in Male'. Photo shot from a friend’s Redmi Note 10 Pro)
Mohamed “Ika” Ikram’s art evoked a desire within me to struggle against the unpredictable nature of life - particularly during the pandemic.
Whenever I encounter something I don't understand, I tend to attribute it to subjectivity. Perhaps I'm hesitant to admit that I struggle to grasp the abstract, sublime, and subtle aspects of things. Consequently, I often use the excuse that I don't "get" abstract art.
Drawing comparisons between people's artworks would be unjust as their objectives and intentions may diverge. With that said, I can assertively state that Shimha Shakeeb's ongoing art exhibition at the National Art Gallery in Male’ has sparked a sense of nostalgia within me. Ika's art exhibition, ongoing at the 350 Gallery in Male', reflects not only his turbulent state of mind at the larger society but also during the pandemic years. And this coming from an illustrator famed for his artworks during the coup era, capturing the public's attention then with his illustrations depicting instances of police brutality at the time.
While I don't fully grasp abstract art, I can partially relate to Ika's depiction of life's frustrations during the pandemic in his art. I can empathize with Ika's "fight" against societal norms and challenges as well.
Ika's art exhibition, titled "Silence and Noise," is running until June 25, 2023. The opening hours are on Saturdays from 4pm to 6pm and from 7pm to 11pm, and for the rest of the week, from Sunday to Thursday, it is open from 7pm to 11 pm.
During my visit on Saturday, I didn't meet Ika in person, but an art critic from Maldives, who interviewed him for a publication, shared his opinions about the exhibits with me.
"There's anger, despair, annoyance, and trepidation," the critic said to me, adding, "there’s your review."
In contrast to this reviewer's critique, I perceived Ika's art as "disorganized and chaotic" linear forms devoid of apparent symmetry or structure, suggesting a restless state of mind. This interpretation resonated with me, considering the distress caused by lockdowns and the unpredictability of the Covid emergency, which not only affected Maldives but the wider world as well.
It's intriguing to note that Ika is expressing his unsettling feelings and emotions in his notebooks and a newly acquired iPad which provided him room for digital expressions on social commentary. And it’s interesting to see some of the pages were torn from his notebooks and presented in their raw form, framed on the gallery walls under subdued lighting to create an immersive atmosphere and thought-provoking ambience.
Observing his artworks made me feel a desire to fight against the injustices of life, as a means to release the frustration and helplessness I myself experienced during the coronavirus lockdowns, in addition to the turbulent living in the congested capital of Maldives. It's safe to say that Ika's art not only gave him a voice but also resonated with many others, myself included, who endured the same irritations while being locked down for a significant portion of the past three years. In that sense, Ika's art exhibition is a must-see for all art lovers, both local and foreign.
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