Ashkal Naveed

Ashkal’s work is strongly influenced by cubism. His series explores themes surrounding the senses. Sight, sound and smell are well explored, as evidenced by the appearance of musical instruments, flowers, birds and butterflies. The hypnotic effects of music are of particular interest to him, an effect magnified by the siren-like quality of his women. The decorative elements in his work are also fascinating because, while they are thoroughly modern in their angular, cubist rendering, they are also simultaneously reminiscent of ancient Egypt or Mesoamerican motifs. His color palette of mainly red, white, blue, yellow and black is likewise very modern yet each of these colors was also important in ancient Egyptian art and culture as symbolizing a certain meaning or emotion. Ashkal thus demonstrates that he is not only well-traveled, which indeed he is, but also that he has a fascination for diverse cultures and a healthy curiosity about them.