• photography Sandra Myhrberg

    Lie Fallow an exhibition by Dimen Hama Abdulla

    Written by Sandra Myhrberg

    Dimen Hama Abdulla, a multifaceted artist whose work spans playwriting, dramaturgy, painting, and sculpture. Born in Kurdistan in 1984, she arrived in Sweden at the age of six, carrying the weight of migration and the responsibility to tell her story. Her debut monologue, On All Fours, received critical acclaim, marking the beginning of a prolific career in theater.

    Yet, behind the scenes, Dimen’s visual art remained a deeply personal practice—until now. With her latest exhibition, Resting Fallow, she invites us into a world where words and images intertwine, exploring themes of survival, restoration, and creative renewal. In this conversation, we delve into her artistic journey, the symbolism behind her latest works, and the dialogue between her visual and literary expressions.

    What inspired the title Lie Fallow for your exhibition?
    “Lie fallow” is a concept in farming related to letting the soil rest and allowing hidden “things” to process. Lie fallow, besides being a very beautiful and poetic phrase, carries the meaning of being in fruitful solitude.

    How does the concept of “Fallow” connect to your personal and artistic journey?
    To Lie Fallow is a cyclic process of dying, being, and blossoming. For me, it’s a story of becoming.

    Your works often merge the abstract with the figurative. How do you navigate these two realms in your art?
    It’s a process about being responsive to the intuitive and the intentional. The “navigating” is a practice of listening to what is happening in the work.

    How has your relationship with visual art evolved over the years?
    I’ve always had a relationship with visual art, since the first time I saw my first cartoon. Then I started to draw—as every child does—but I continued and never stopped.

    What role do materials play in your creative process?
    A significant one; for me, a painting is a sensory practice. The materiality is part of the joy and pleasure— the fabric of the paper, the pigments of the color, the density and softness of pastels.

    Your work often reflects themes of survival and migration. How do these experiences influence your visual art?
    I wouldn’t say that my work often has themes of survival and migration; rather, these are part of my history and what has formed me. I don’t want to set a theme on my work. I think language sometimes pins art, and even if it’s alluring to define it through language, I don’t want that. For me, it’s more that “things” are encapsulated in the pictures, but the paintings themselves aren’t meant to be read as a theme of migration and survival.

    You’ve worked across multiple artistic disciplines—writing, dramaturgy, and visual art. How do these practices complement each other?
    One is the discipline of the hand, one of the heart, and one of the head.

    What’s next for you after Lie Fallow? Are there any new projects or collaborations in the works?
    I am very happy to be the external examiner for the artist Jaana-Kristin Alakoski in two weeks. I am working on a theater play for Stockholm Stadsteater, and I am teaching at Biskops-Arnö. I want to put some love and focus into these and create peace and space to return to painting.

    Dimen Hama Abdulla / Saskia Neuman Gallery
    Lie Fallow
    On view 07.11—19.12.2024

  • Orchestrated Characters: Raghav Babbar’s Solo Exhibition at Larsen Warner Gallery

    Written by Natalia Muntean

    Stockholm’s Larsen Warner Gallery presents Orchestrated Characters, a solo exhibition by British Indian painter Raghav Babbar, an emerging talent in contemporary art. Babbar’s work captures ordinary people and everyday moments with a depth that invites the viewer to pause and reflect.

    “He works on several paintings at the same time,” explains Darren Warner, curator of the show and director of Larsen Warner Gallery. “This is partly due to the heavy layers and detailed strokes that require drying time, but also because he needs time to reflect on his subjects, capturing their emotional depth and intricacies.”

    Drawing inspiration from films, personal photographs, and memories, Babbar’s paintings explore common yet often overlooked moments in life, while conveying emotion through rich, textured layers of oil paint. With a technique reminiscent of Lucian Freud, Babbar uses thick layers to capture expressions, creating intimate portraits that draw viewers into each character’s psychology.

    Orchestrated Characters represents Babbar’s first solo show in Stockholm and is notable for including his works on paper, with six displayed publicly for the first time. These pieces reveal his process and approach to building his paintings, as each figure gradually emerges from washes of oil paint and turpentine. Usually a private part of his process, these paper works allow him to explore ideas before he transfers them to canvas.

    Each painting in the exhibition reflects both Babbar’s Indian heritage and his life in London, where he now resides. Through this body of work, he tells stories of Indian spirituality, legends, and the scenery of North India where he grew up, bridging cultural elements from India and the West through his impeccable technique.

    Warner notes that Babbar enjoys creating portraits and self-portraits, a passion evident in this exhibition. Using light, shadow, and meticulous brushwork, Babbar conveys the essence of his subjects with sensitivity and empathy.

    Orchestrated Characters is on display at Larsen Warner Gallery until the 15th of December.

    Photos courtesy of Larsen Warner Gallery, portrait by Dan Weill, courtesy of Nahmad Projects

  • Exploring Europe’s Streetwear Tapestry with Zalando’s “Cultural Ties”

    Written by Jahwanna Berglund

    Zalando dives into the diverse and vibrant streetwear cultures of Amsterdam, Antwerp, Berlin, Paris, Stockholm, and Warsaw.

    In an age where streetwear continues to evolve beyond fashion into a bold expression of identity, Zalando’s latest initiative, Cultural Ties, takes a closer look at six unique urban scenes that are reshaping streetwear in Europe. Featuring stories straight from the communities driving these styles, the campaign brings a fresh, authentic perspective to a phenomenon that’s as much about cultural heritage as it is about personal expression.

    From Amsterdam to Warsaw, Cultural Ties connects communities through a shared love for streetwear, elevating local voices and styles while embracing each city’s distinct vibe. Berlin’s Charissa, the creative force behind the concept store and nail salon isla, offers an eclectic mix of style and spirit, while Parisian Mariana’s LGBTQ+ collective, Pulse, brings people together through music and dance. In Stockholm, Tamalie and Gloria, co-founders of the Let’s Create platform, champion innovation and local creativity. Warsaw’s Mih of newonce magazine, Antwerp’s Otto of Donnie, and Amsterdam’s groundbreaking brand The New Originals, contribute to redefining the visual and cultural codes of streetwear in their respective cities.

    Zalando’s Cultural Ties doesn’t just present these streetwear stories but immerses audiences in each city’s cultural hotspots and trending styles. With each city offering its own “must-see” locations, the initiative provides an insider’s look into the spaces that inspire local streetwear communities. Whether it’s a hidden gallery in Antwerp, a pop-up café in Stockholm, or an open-air market in Berlin, each destination showcases Europe’s streetwear diversity in full colour.

    Community at the Core: A New Face of Influence

    A recent YouGov survey commissioned by Zalando reveals that local communities are becoming a more influential force in shaping streetwear style than celebrities. In cities like Warsaw and Paris, around 27% of respondents said their local scene was their primary style influence, compared to only 19% who cited social media influencers. This speaks to a growing trend where community-driven style and local identity take precedence over commercialised fashion trends, with younger generations in particular gravitating towards authentic, community-centred style.

    Connecting Culture, Fashion, and Identity

    According to Zalando’s Daniela Klaeser, “Streetwear is more than just style; it’s a cultural code. It’s about who we are, what we stand for, and where we come from.” The initiative aims not to dictate but to celebrate the individuals and communities that define these styles, reinforcing a global cultural connection through Europe’s creative, boundary-pushing streetwear culture.

    Cultural Ties is live now on Zalando’s platform, inviting everyone to explore, celebrate, and connect through the vibrant streetwear communities of Europe.

    www.zalando.com

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