Congratulations, Ara Dolatian, who is a finalist in the Darebin Art Prize 2024. ⁠
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Most recently, Dolatian has directed his sculptural focus upon archaeological relics. Born in Baghdad, the artist draws upon his own cultural background to examine the cultural ecologies associated with lost and stolen artefacts within the Al-Jazira region. This region between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers is the ancient site of Mesopotamia – often referred to as the ‘cradle of civilisation’, where the first urban centres and written languages arose.⁠
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Dolatian’s work is a tangible visual memory of sculptural deities, architectural forms and vessels. However, the artist’s intentions are not to replicate the past, but to instead draw from them as fragmented, visual traces of the culture and history.⁠
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Catch the finalist exhibition at the Bundoora Homestead Arts Centre 10 January – 23 March, 2024.⁠
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To enquire about available work by Ara Dolatian please email info@jamesmakingallery.com⁠
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Ara Dolatian. Heroes, 2023. Earthenware, glaze, oxide. 79 x 32 x 32 cm⁠