R.Mutt

If you are reading this between 4pm - 10pm (except Sunday), stop reading and go to Gallery350. Hurry.  GALLERY350 IS BACK? FOR HOW LONG? Gallery350 does not disappoint with their exhibitions. From the exhibitions they’ve had so far, Gallery350 has shown us ( me ) where the bar for contemporary fine art in Maldives should be. With that being said, the long breaks and somewhat unreliable timings, make it believable that this is in fact an artist-run space. Something that they humbly yet valiantly proclaim at the entrance of the gallery.  Gallery350, unlike other galleries in Male’, is hard to find. It's annoying. But I used google maps.  Maybe this is what they mean when they say fine art is not accessible.  WHAT’S WITH THE BELL? The gallery is on the first floor of a residential apartment. There is a little sign below the name of the apartment that says the gallery is on the first floor, with instructions to... ring a bell?  Lil' weird... isn’t it insane to have ...

I didn't go, haven't seen it.  You may argue, that what I say about exhibitions or art does not matter, maybe you are right - but this time especially.  It looked gorgeous in pictures, the artistry definitely worth the prices, I'll probably get one.  THE CASE FOR HAND-PAINTED (NOT HANDMADE) TERRACOTTA POTS BY SAALI AT ART GALLERY MALE'. I will keep this vague, short, a lil-all-over-the-place, and sweet.  1. Art is pretentious. Pretentious being, asserting more [insert quality] to impress, than one actually posseses. Artists are all about being pretentious. So are others: [insert favourite GOAT]. People who achieve greatness have to take a chance on themselves; say, and then prove they are better than others. Show that they have something important to say, and sometimes, they are right. Other times they are pretentious.    2. The Creative Process.  Not to generalise, but, generally:  3. Art is a conversation.  Art creates, relates to and is me...

  The announcement of Laillie's solo exhibition was a pleasant surprise. I was eager to see her work in person. It did not disappoint, I visited it a couple of times. Like most (all) art, the true artisanship cannot be captured and hence appreciated in pictures (on Instagram).  ENTRANCE The video at the gate of the gallery entrance was perfect. Specifically for people, (including my freind) who had not heard of Lailiie or was unfamiliar with her works. It gave a quick insight into her process, the hours of ballpoint lines that turns into intricate drawings - videos all of us have seen on Instagram.  'E'keiy' - is spelt out in big block off-white thaana letters, on the white far wall that greets you walk through the main doors of the gallery. The block letters were nice to see, I saw her working on it a couple of weeks ago and was curious as to what it was going to be used for.  STATEMENTS The e xhibition text in black underneath the block letters and the way they wer...