Lot 238: SHEZAD DAWOOD (B. 1974)

SHEZAD DAWOOD (B. 1974)
Those Who Are Innocent Are Blissful [Ina Al-abrar La Fi Na'im]
neon strip lighting
9¼ x 23 3/8 x 1 in. (23.7 x 59.6 x 2.7 cm.)
Executed in 2008; number one from an edition of three plus one artist's proof

Third Line Gallery, Dubai
Acquired from the above by the present owner

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 17.5% on the buyer's premium.
In the present work, Shezad Dawood explores broader issues of religion, culture and ethnicity. Those Who Are Innocent Are Blissful unites seemingly disparate elements: marrying tradition and religion with an overtly secular, neon sign. Deconstructing contemporary consumerism, the artist engages in a critical yet playful investigation of cultural identity.

From his series of sculptural works around the Islamic notion of the '99 Names of God'; each denotes phrases and Islamic names of the Divine that serve to describe wisdoms of religious teachings. The series also included tumbleweed installations referencing America's Wild West juxtaposed with neons, successfully employing and humourously illustrating a pop cross-pollination that embodies a common global culture. Shezad Dawood's recent exhibitions and projects include the Saatchi Gallery Empire Strikes Back, London 2010, the Tate Trienniel, London 2009 and East West Divan at the 53rd Venice Biennale 2009 among successful solo and group exhibitions in Europe and the Middle East.