Cartoonist Dr Seuss had nothing on the topsy-turvy worlds depicted in Ndue Pepa’s paintings, now on show at Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi.
Everyone remembers those illustrations in childhood books that captivated your attention for hours. The ones such as Where’s Wally? with hidden sketches and details that, once found, made you feel like you’d discovered something no one else has. Well, a new exhibition at Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi will revive all of those childlike feelings.
From now until February 20, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi will be exhibiting the work of Ndue Pepa, an Albanian artist who is represented by Dubai’s Artissima Gallery. The show, which is titled Dimention, features ten intense oil and acrylic paintings.
The show’s title seems appropriate. These colourful canvases, set up on easels in a vibrant row, are delightfully captivating. Set at eye level, one can easily get lost in each one, but when you step back you can appreciate their similarities and differences.
The artist aims to captivate the eye of the viewer with his hypnotic images. Ndue says, ‘If you’re relaxed when you view my paintings, you will get more pleasure out of them.’
Ndue uses concentric shapes that radiate in and out of the canvas, hypnotising the audience. Through the use of bold contrasts rather than soft shading, he builds layers of foreground and background which creates the illusion of depth, or dimension, in a unique and unexpected way.
Explaining his artistic process, Ndue says, ‘I do sketch sometimes, but it all depends on the moment. Painting can be so dynamic and transformations happen all the time – I go with what feels right at the time. I know how I will start but I never know how I will finish and I really don’t want to know. I like the element of surprise at the end. I play with the paint; we dance and we have a masterpiece when it is finished.’
Much of Ndue’s inspiration comes from experiences in his home country. He says, ‘Each artist’s work is somehow tied to the traditions of the country the artist is born in. In Albania we are lucky to have beautiful landscapes, costumes that are very colourful and music that moves you. All these elements are inspirational.’
Like many artists, Ndue’s work is also informed by the art that he sees and responds to. Some of his favourite artists include Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. He also admires Arabic, Indian and Chinese art.
Ndue creates dreamscapes that all demonstrate a similar style, yet each reflects a different mood and feeling. A persistent theme throughout the series is the use of geometric shapes that are exaggerated and cartoon-like. Ndue packs these shapes together and dots them with small illustrative suggestions of a landscape such as houses and buildings.
While the use of geometry hints toward cubism and even primitivism, Ndue’s work seems modern because he favours wide brushstrokes, bright colours and a monochromatic style – he likes to use shades of the same colour. His paintings lean more toward the psychedelic than the historic.
Ndue’s style has been described as ‘stylistic deformity’. He explains, ‘I take the shapes, forms and colours from my subject matter and use a highly stylised technique that presents landscapes in a different, abstract way. My goal is for the viewer to see the shapes, colours and lines differently depending on what their subconscious is thinking.’
Since Ndue started making art as a child, his style has evolved over time. Ten years ago, his work consisted of more representational renderings, including portraiture and traditional landscapes. He has since moved away from this straightforward style towards a more abstract and arguably more sophisticated practice. He says, ‘These changes are typical for an artist. My work has become more abstract as I have matured.’
Indeed, the work is sophisticated, yet childlike, in the most pleasing of ways.
Dimention, now until February 20, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, Al Muroor Road, www.dusit.com, www.artissimaartgallery.com (02 698 8888).
