Photo: Martina Bauer

Download Flyer

Download Press releases Süddeutsche Zeitung and Kunst:art

to the exhibition site of the Neue Galerie Dachau (external)

Photos: Martina Bauer

The basis of Aatifi’s painting is calligraphy, the central art form of the Islamic world, which he learned at a young age. In Germany, he left behind the strict guidelines that apply to the uniformly precise typeface and has since reinterpreted calligraphy as abstract painting in bright colours. With a broad brush, he transfers individual elements of script into a large format in sweeping sweeps. Aatifi’s paintings come to life from the flowing movement that involves his whole body. In this way, the artist builds a bridge between the culture of his birth country and his adopted homeland. The ink drawings he has been creating since 2018 have an even freer effect, featuring splashes and drips of paint that have emerged during the painting process. His preference for blue and turquoise tones in all shades testifies to his indissoluble connection to the culture of his Afghan homeland.

Excerpt from the flyer

Exhibition poster (Design: Neue Galerie Dachau, Germany) (left)

Untitled  I  250 x 320 cm (2pcs)  I  Acrylic on canvas  I  Aatifi 2017 (centre)

Photo: Martina Bauer (right)