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Adeela Suleman

APT10

Born 1970, Karachi, Pakistan
Lives and works in Karachi

 

Adeela Suleman is known for her sculptural works, which often confront themes of political urgency. Since 2014, she has produced painted works on found ceramic and enamel plates, along with suites of painted daggers and meat cleavers. Combining artisanal craft with found objects, these works delve through history to consider violent conflicts and their depictions. They feature techniques and motifs of South Asian miniature painting and draw on different historical events, sites and artistic traditions.
 

Five miniature landscape paintings made on cleavers, installed on a white gallery wall

Works from Adeela Suleman's 'Home Front' series, installed for APT10, GOMA, April 2022 / Hand-painted metal cleaverd with enamel paint and lacquer / © Adeela Suleman / Photograph: N Harth, QAGOMA

 

In vivid colours painted on porcelain and enamel dishes, Suleman balances the domestic and delicate nature of the objects and lavish painterly technique with bloodied scenarios and violent encounters. In a related series titled 'Home Front', painted metal cleavers bear delicate illustrations of Himalayan mountain-scapes, drawn from postcards that circulate in Pakistan. Through these idealised landscapes painted on flesh-cutting objects, Suleman recognises the ongoing conflict in the region.

A landscape painted on a butcher's knife.
Adeela Suleman / Pakistan b.1970 / Home Front - 2 2021 / Hand-painted metal cleaver with enamel paint and lacquer / 14 x 30.5cm / Purchased 2021 with funds from an anonymous donor through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: QAGOMA / © Adeela Suleman

 

 

Artwork Home Front - 1 this artwork made of Hand-painted metal cleaver with enamel paint and lacquer, created in 2021-01-01

Home Front - 1 2021
Artwork Home Front - 2 this artwork made of Hand-painted metal cleaver with enamel paint and lacquer, created in 2021-01-01

Home Front - 2 2021
Artwork Home Front - 3 this artwork made of Hand-painted metal cleaver with enamel paint and lacquer, created in 2021-01-01

Home Front - 3 2021
Artwork All Hell Let Loose this artwork made of Found vintage ceramic plate with enamel paint and lacquer, created in 2020-01-01

All Hell Let Loose 2020-21
Artwork Death Before Defeat this artwork made of Found vintage ceramic plate with enamel paint and lacquer, created in 2020-01-01

Death Before Defeat 2020
Artwork Between Two Fires this artwork made of Found vintage ceramic plate with enamel paint and lacquer, created in 2021-01-01

Between Two Fires 2021
APT10

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