Inaam Zafar
The dust, too, is replete
September 18 – November 8, 2024
Grey Noise, Dubai is pleased to present the first solo exhibition of Inaam Zafar (b. 1988, Lahore, lives and works in Lahore) at the gallery and in the UAE.
The body of work in “The dust, too, is replete” originates from photographic memoirs, and are meant to evoke emotional experiences, born from intuition and unplanned encounters.
The exhibition’s title is borrowed from Ted Hughes’ poem “Gog.” The “dust” references Zafar’s earthy, chromatic color palette in his oil paintings. The dusty grey also mirrors the sky and foliage of Lahore, the artist’s hometown. Zafar’s interest in landscapes and living soil led him to create a collection of earth pigments and clays, gathered from ruins in Tulamba and Harappa, the mountains of Arandu (Skardu), and the shores of Karachi Beach. He uses these pigments to explore subtle color nuances, a sensitivity he deepens in his oil paintings.
These works speak of temporariness: in the plastic of the spoons, the lining of the tent, and the stacking of the chairs. Something about to be finished; a sojourn, a visit about to end.
About the Artist
Inaam Zafar is a visual artist and educator. His work often references obscure sequences from experimental cinema as well as aged family photographs and images he has personally captured. Zafar views his painting process as an ongoing observational study, evolving with each iteration. In addition to his artistic practice, he collects botanical samples, fungi, dust, and soil from his travels across southern Punjab and northern mountains. These elements are integrated into his artwork to evoke memory and represent the passage of time through mineral layers.
He manages a non-profit school, Oasis School for Autism, dedicated to supporting autistic children, and founded the art initiative 'aut.art' in 2019 to promote the work of individuals on the autism spectrum. Zafar graduated from Beaconhouse National University in 2010 and has exhibited his work both nationally and internationally.