The ceramic mug features a vibrant, textured surface with a variety of colors, shapes, and objects embedded within it. The prominent focal point is a small, orange deer figurine standing atop a rocky outcrop. Surrounding the deer are other sculptural elements, including colorful flowers, leaves, and irregular, abstract forms. The overall composition gives the impression of a whimsical, nature-inspired scene. The artwork's distinctive ceramic glaze and the varied techniques used, such as the addition of three-dimensional objects, suggest an experimental and imaginative artistic approach. This eclectic, mixed-media piece likely reflects the artist's intention to create a visually engaging and tactile object that invites the viewer to discover new details upon each examination. ...
Sharif Farrag work is made up of richly detailed porcelain, stoneware and drawings. His work wells up from depths of personal experience: his hybrid forms speak to the second generation American experience, a prismatic refraction of his Syrian-Egyptian parentage, his San Fernando Valley upbringing, skater culture and graffiti, Syrian textiles and bakhoor. Certain figures recur as alter egos, giving form and outlet to his angels and demons. Farrag consistently pushes the expressive potential of clay with painterly glazing and intricately interpenetrating forms. ...
Since 2009, François Ghebaly has presented an innovative, eclectic program of Los Angeles-based and international artists. With a history of identifying and championing diverse voices and emerging talent, the gallery’s roster has grown to include 27 artists and 2 artist estates, ranging from early career, such as Sharif Farrag and Ludovic Nkoth, to mid-career, like Christine Sun Kim, Meriem Bennani, Kelly Akashi, Farah Al Qasimi, and Genesis Belanger, to well established, including Sayre Gomez, Kathleen Ryan, Neïl Beloufa and Candice Lin as well as underground legends, like Patrick Jackson and Mike Kuchar. The gallery advances the reach of its artists’ visions by publishing exhibition catalogues and producing artist editions. Located since 2013 in a 12,000 square foot warehouse space in Downtown Los Angeles, the gallery is a mainstay of the burgeoning Arts District community, and recently expanded to New York's Lower East Side. François Ghebaly’s program demonstrates a commitment to challenging work across all media and to fostering the progressive, boundary-pushing practices of its artists. ...
