Artwork in the room
Majd Kara, a contemporary painter originally from Syria, currently lives in Vilnius, Lithuania. He completed his studies at the Faculty of Fine Arts at Damascus University, where he laid the groundwork for his artistic journey. Since moving to Lithuania in 2016, Kara has continued to develop his practice and expand his presence in the European art scene, having held three solo exhibitions and taken part in numerous group shows.
The idea of human transformation and spiritual rebirth lies at the heart of Kara’s art. He delves into the ways individuals experience profound changes over time, shaped by a range of external and internal influences such as society, religion, politics, and personal life events. For the artist, each painting represents a glimpse into a particular stage or aspect of this ongoing cycle of transformation.
Kara’s artistic language is distinguished by his portrayals of bodies that appear fragmented or deformed. In many of his works, the human figures are broken into sections, often missing heads or with heads replaced by lively flows of color. With this method, he alludes to both the erasure or alteration of identity and the notion that true transformation is not limited to the mind alone. The persistent presence of blood-red hues alludes to the suffering and inevitability accompanying change, underscoring that both spiritual and personal rebirth are difficult but inescapable processes.
By employing unconventional shapes, inventive compositions, and vivid colors, Majd Kara seeks to both challenge and captivate his viewers. His artwork urges the audience to contemplate their own experiences of transformation, inviting a deeper exploration of what it truly means to adapt and grow amid the complexities of life.
About this artwork+
The painting depicts a partial figure, which appears to be female, captured from the back and side. Her head is bowed in a thoughtful or contemplative pose, casting her features in shadow and masking her expression. The skin is painted with realistic textures, suggesting the natural aging of flesh, with shadows that contour her neck, shoulder, and back muscles in a subtle interplay of light and dark. She is wearing a garment with broad stripes in shades of beige, orange, and olive, which clings to her form, accentuating the gentle curves of her body. The background and base of the painting are abstract, using geometric shapes—a sharp triangle cuts prominently across the canvas in deep blue, contrasting with the otherwise muted and pastel palette of the piece. The use of color and shape contributes to a feeling of introspection and quietude, possibly reflecting the internal state of the subject. The overall composition and the stark division of space suggest a dichotomy, perhaps between reality and perception, or between the external world and the inner self.
