Untitled

A scintillating dance performance by a group of whirling dervishes is the topic for this painting for sale by the Syrian painter Mamdouh Kashlan. Marked by a somewhat symmetrical format which reinforces the Sufi turning and choreography of the religious dance, the artist depicts the group in mid-flow in this figurative piece, with his main protagonist in the foreground, arms crossed across his chest, and three dancers either side tailing outwards in an A shape, limbs stretched in hallmark style.

The dancers’ tilted heads somehow relay the emotion and concentration that their art requires, even though little is evident in the way of facial features. Aside from the raised arms and angled headwear, Kashlan also captures the movement of the dancers through his clever use of shaded colour in the pleats of their skirts, some of which fan out, while others appear caught in a moment in time.

Born in 1929 in Damascus, Kashlan has held more than 300 exhibitions in his homeland and around the world. His work can be found in the national museums of Damascus, Aleppo and Deir Atieh, and the Presidential Palace, and also at the Sursock in Beirut. Elsewhere, his work is on view in Cairo and Paris, as well as in other European cities. In 1996, Kashlan was awarded the Pioneer’s Prize from the Ministry of Culture.