Currently Exhibiting in: New York City
Bio:
Sherihan Khalil is an abstract artist whose work is deeply influenced by her ten years of living and working across Iraq and Afghanistan. Her experiences in these regions, often associated with hardship, have inspired her to focus on the resilience and beauty of everyday life and the people who live it. Drawing from Afghan rug artisanship, tribal tattoo patterns, and prehistoric Iraqi cave art, Sherihan’s art seeks to channel the vivid imprints of these cultures and the people who inhabit them. Her journey from New York City to the Middle East and back has shaped her as both an observer and a medium, capturing the essence of resilience and history on her canvases.
Her artistic style weaves abstraction with figurative elements, presenting themes of history, mysticism, and symbolism. With repeated patterns, sinewy lines, and dots, Sherihan’s work captures energetic dialogues that emerge from and recede into the canvas. Her recent projects, including Epochgraphy I and Attan on Canvas, explore themes of human resilience, drawing inspiration from traditional Afghan circle dances and the sonic influence of music across eras.
Featured Artwork at Bushwick Gallery
Petri (Dish) Dino I
Year of Creation: 2024
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Dimensions: 60 cm x 90 cm
Price: $6,500 USD
Location: New York, NY, USA
Petri (Dish) Dino II
Year of Creation: 2024
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Dimensions: 60 cm x 90 cm
Price: $6,500 USD
Location: New York, NY, USA
Description:
In Petri (Dish) Dino I and Petri (Dish) Dino II, Sherihan Khalil reimagines dinosaurs within the confines of a Petri dish—a symbol of life preservation and scientific curiosity. Inspired by her childhood fascination with these ancient creatures, Sherihan uses energetic line work and gestural strokes to evoke dinosaur shapes and their imagined topographies. This series builds on her Epochgraphy I body of work, extending her exploration of historical imagination to envision a world where dinosaurs continue to exist in symbolic forms. Each piece serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of preserving our natural topographies and ecosystems.
Exhibition Information
Group Exhibition: Wild Kingdoms: Animals Reimagined
Opening Reception: Thursday, November 7 / 6PM-8PM
Exhibition Dates: November 7 – November 18, 2024
Theme: Reinterpret the animal kingdom through a modern lens, exploring abstract representations and social commentary. Khalil’s Petri (Dish) Dino series brings a whimsical and introspective look at ancient creatures, re-envisioning dinosaurs within a contemporary context. Her work encourages viewers to consider preservation and protection, blending the past with a call to safeguard the life forms and landscapes we still have today.