Iraqi artist Hakim Alkarim, who now lives here, expresses unique experiences shaped by continued strife in his homeland in many forms, from beautiful environmental installations informed by Iraqi history to The Witness Archive, a series of spooky portraits that stretch their photographic roots to reveal the bare ectoplasm behind every human soul. Created through a complicated procedure that begins with the use of latex masks and reflective contact lenses for his models and continues when the actual shots are made through layers of translucent paper, the finished works express the shock and awe of human distress in a manner I can guarantee you’ve never seen before.
A solo exhibit of these works opened August 8 at Robischon Gallery, 1740 Wazee Street; on August 13 from 6 to 8 p.m., the gallery will host an opening reception and 7 p.m. artist conversation. The Witness Archive then continues through September 19; get details at www.robischongallery.com or call 303-298-7788.
Aug. 8-Sept. 19, 2009
