Issam Kourbaj's sad little ships
Today I saw many little ships in the Heong Gallery. Their hulls are made of bent and crushed bicycle wheelrims (Felgen,
in German). Each holds a bunch of bunt matches: people. Refugees.
Voyaging along the raised floor of the gallery towards the light of the
window and the unbelievable green sward behind it with Barbara
Hepworth's serene sculpture among the vegetation.
Issa
Kourbaj is a long-time resident of Cambridge who makes art about Syria,
war and displaced humans. The ships reminded me of the floating boats
of Hew Locke's installation at the magnificent Entangled Pasts
exhibition in London (Royal Academy). Boats that carry people who don't
want to be carried. Boats that hold at the same time as they condemn.
