When Hayv Kahraman fled Baghdad during the first Gulf War, one of the few non-essential items her family took was a mahaffa, a traditional fan woven from palm tree fronds. In recent works at Jack Shainman Gallery, the artist has woven her paintings together in strips that recall the fan, artfully combining different realities. (On view in Chelsea on 24th Street through Dec 20th).
‘How Iraqi Are You?’ asks the title of Iraqi born, San Francisco-based artist Hayv Kahraman’s current solo show of paintings at Chelsea’s Jack Shainman Gallery. Based on a 12th century text about everyday Iraqi life, Kahraman’s paintings loosely tell stories from her own life, including this piece, which refers to her experience of having been smuggled out of Baghdad to Sweden. (Through April 4th).
Hayv Kahraman, Kachakchi, oil on linen, 79 x 108 x 2 inches, 2015.
