At The First Flood of Daylight

Image: by Ara Dolation, Humbaba, 2024. Glazed ceramics. Courtesy the artist and James Makin Gallery.

A new ceramic exhibition by Ara Dolatian

In this project, Ara Dolatian examines the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh, a timeless narrative centred on the legendary king of Uruk, who was later posthumously deified. Originating from what is now Iraq, often referred to as Mesopotamia or "the ancient Near East," this region is a cradle of interwoven cultural systems, most notably those of the Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians.

Responding to queer and feminist interpretations of Mesopotamian literature, particularly through the lens of the Epic of Gilgamesh, Ara connects this research to previous works that address the looting of Mesopotamian artifacts from the National Museum of Iraq in 2003.

The Epic of Gilgamesh remains strikingly contemporary, resonating with themes of grief, loss, and deep emotional bonds between men, ultimately revealing a philosophical exploration of peace within one's community. Ara's sculptural work brings to light these buried histories, intertwining them with queer and feminist theories to create unfamiliar archetypes and homoerotic narratives within a vivid yet uneasy world. His pieces possess a distinctive anthropomorphic quality, some echoing masculine human faces and chopped cedar tree trunks, while others are more ornamental and abstract, drawing inspiration from historical Mesopotamian artifacts. The main works are stacked as totemic, vertical columns, playing with ideas of gender multiplicity and the protective nature of Mesopotamian guardians.

Reflecting on mythology and identity, Ara's work is deeply influenced by his upbringing in Baghdad. The sculptures, characterised by their imperfect, sublime, and emotionally charged nature, blurring the lines between simplicity and complexity, asserting sexual difference and gender multiplicity as pathways to finding deeper human connections beyond materialistic pursuits.

Ara Dolatian was the winner of the Bundoora Homestead Award as part of the 2024 Midsumma Australia Post Art Award.

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Event & ticketing details

Accessibility

Auslan Interpreted
English No Barrier
Wheelchair Access
Vision Rating 100%

Dates & Times

WHEN 22-25 Jan, 29 Jan-1 Feb, 5-8 Feb | Wed-Fri 11am-4pm | Sat 10am-4pm
AUSLAN Sat 25 Jan 2pm
ARTIST TALK (English language is used and required for understanding the Artist Talk) Sat 25 Jan 2pm

Tickets

FREE

Location

Bundoora Homestead Art Centre

7 Prospect Hill Dr, Bundoora

Get directions

Tram

86 to stop 63 (Leeds St/Hopkins St)

Bus

382, 566 to Grange Bvd/Plenty Rd

Event notes

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