Paper

2009.03

May Hariri Aboutaam

Gift

Gift of Mary Hariri Aboutaam

2008

20 in

15 in

Re-interpreting the Middle East II: Artists Re-thinking Today's Terminology (2009)

Sixty Square Inches Maximum: 16th Biennial North American Small Print Competition (2008)

Cultural/Historical Context

Deceived Perception Ina Kaur Multi plate color etching, relief & hand coloring, 2008 Layered and entangled, Ina Kaur’s work utilizes abstract imagery to capture the complexity of personal and cultural identity. She simultaneously creates visual tension and harmony with overlapping patterns and interwoven lines. In reference to her other works, Kaur says, “our perceptions can be an advantage, but can also be a disadvantage based on our attitude and limited knowledge.” Kaur received her MFA from Purdue University in 2007 and was the recipient of the 2018 Emerging Voice Award on behalf of the College of Liberal Arts. Carrie Kelb “Scared and targeted, realities are either veiled or transformed to unfold a false narrative. The work Deceived Perception is a reflection on internal and external world conflicts. Targeted individuals and cultures have been hidden and misrepresented to veil and hide our scared realities. The project specifically invited artists to use various printmaking methods as a visual forum to respond critically to how other cultures (for this specific exchange the diverse cultures of the Middle East) inform relations of art. I utilized symbolic and metaphoric visual language and color Association to represent cultural connotations and influences of social significance. Politically, the Middle East has been targeted. We can only try to imagine, to understand, what it might be like to be in that situation which is sensitive yet a very serious matter. I brought into my piece—the beautiful veil worn by a woman to cover their heads. The veil is part of the image for aesthetical reasons, as well as functional - which is to cover. So is my choice of repetitive circular marks as target sign in the background and the use of the color red. I use non-representational methods of expression. Naturalistic, curvilinear, organic, and linear forms are prevalent in my work. Abstracting and simplifying rudimentary forms allows me to transition between tangible and intangible concepts We hide and run away from understanding the delicacy of political and social situations. The differences and the unknowns between the cultures are to be celebrated. In today’s world, these differences are directed toward misconceptions and deceived perceptions. We, as humans, need to unveil these differences and celebrate the global community rather than target them for our personal gains.” Ina Kaur, Aritist

Cultural/Historical Context

"Ina Kaur is a full time Printmaking faculty member at Bowling Green State University, Ohio. She received her MFA in Studio Arts (Printmaking) from Purdue University, Indiana in 2007 and BFA from Chandigarh College of Art, Punjab, INDIA in 2003. Kaur’s current research deals with investigating how her work is affected by personal hybrid identity. The theoretical basis for the discussion includes theories and readings involving post-colonialism by Homi K. Bhabha; deconstruction by Jacques Derrida and Carl Jung’s notion of universal symbols. Kaur’s investigation includes how east - west, local - global, ancient - modern, oriental - occidental together encode her work, which exists in an in-between third space. Her interest is in the synthesis between these binary oppositions and how they coexist. Kaur’s research has been included in a number of portfolios and collections, and showcased in numerous national and international exhibitions including most recently: Naestved International Exhibition of Contemporary Mini print, Ronnebaeksholm Arts & Culture Centre, Naestved, Denmark in 2008; INKLANDIA INVITATIONAL PRINT EXHIBITION and Sixty Square Inches, 16th Biennial North American Small Print Competition at Purdue University, IN; Speaking Volumes, Holter Museum of Art & Helena and Lewis and Clark Library, MT; International Art Exhibition, Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat, Bangalore, India; Solo show: reclaiming the circle, Patti and Rusty Rueff West Galleries, West Lafayette, IN; Lagniappe 5: Pixels and Prints at Louisiana State University, LA and Bharat Bhavan International Biennial for Prints, Bhopal, INDIA."